Since the hiring of Darian DeVries last week, and even before that, the Indiana Hoosiers have lost four players to the transfer portal so far. Gabe Cupps was the first domino to fall, followed by leading scorer Malik Reneau. Then, once the portal officially opened, Mackenzie Mgbako and Jakai Newton were the next two Hoosiers to decide to move on.
With the transfer portal officially opening on Monday, this means that players are allowed to officially talk to other programs, and some teams certainly aren't waiting. The day after Mgbako announced that he was entering the portal, he had already met with the Oklahoma Sooners. DeVries is almost certainly meeting with players as well, and it is already predicted that his son, Tucker DeVries, is making a move to the Hoosiers with his father.
The news of Reneau and Mgbako entering the portal was tough, as the Hoosiers have now lost every player in their starting lineup unless Luke Goode is granted his hardship waiver for a fifth season. Losing Reneau is tough as he has been one of the biggest producers on Indiana's offense, and now it seems as though another Big Ten school is pretty interested in his scoring ability.
Even though they are still in the NCAA Tournament and preparing for their Sweet 16 matchup against Auburn on Friday, Michigan head coach Dusty May can' n't wait any time not working in the transfer portal. May is already preparing for next season, and it looks as though it is starting with reaching out to Reneau, as the Wolverines are in need of big men for next season.
The Miami native averaged 13.3 points per game this season and 5.5 rebounds and was missing a few games due to an MCL tear right in the middle of the season. After coming back from the injury, Reneau switched from being a starter to a sixth man on and off for the rest of the season.
While Reneau may want to transfer somewhere a little close to his home in Miami, Florida, he is already very familiar with the Big Ten and may want to stay in the conference. If that is the case, Indiana could be facing Reneau next season instead of having him help the Hoosiers win games.