Indiana basketball vs. Xavier: Six takeaways from Hoosiers 81-79 win

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Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5). Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

#4. Malik Reneau has a shot to win B1G Freshman of the Year… as a backup to the potential B1G Player of the Year

Yeah, I said it. Reneau is so ahead of his age talent-wise and mentally, with the way he carries himself on the court. He had a technical foul in the second half for touching the ball and being excited about finishing hard through contact at a critical point in the game (nice one refs).

Reneau registered 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting and six rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, he missed huge free throws down the stretch, but let’s be honest, why would our senior point guard, Xavier Johnson, give the ball up to a freshman that is figuring out his jump shot still, at the most important part of the game?

Reneau is serving as the primary backup to Trayce Jackson-Davis this season, even though he played alongside the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year a lot on Friday night.

Thus far, here’s where Reneau ranks in the Big Ten in some statistical categories:

PPG: 14.6 (third)
RPG: 5.0 (third)
FG%: 65.2% (first)
BPG: 1.0 (second)

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