Indiana Basketball: 3 Keys to Victory against Rutgers

The Hoosiers travel to Piscataway to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights tomorrow night.
Jan 6, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) celebrates against
Jan 6, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) celebrates against / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
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Indiana Basketball
Indiana's Kaleb Banks (10) celebrates with CJ Gunn (11) after Gunn's basket and foul during the / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY

Get the ball to Malik Reneau

Despite Rutgers' struggles on the offensive end of the floor, they play solid defense. However, Indiana has the size advantage on the interior. IU is longer and more athletic on the inside. They need to take advantage of that in the paint on the offensive side of the floor. Malik Reneau has proven to be nearly unstoppable when he's able to get the ball where he's comfortable.

Reneau has also shown an ability to shoot the ball from the outside when he's open. His versatility will open things up for Kel'el Ware and Xavier Johnson on the outside. Ware needs to be more assertive early in this game as well. Both Ware and Reneau need to realize their games complement each other.

Rutgers only has one player over 6-foot-6 in its frontcourt, so Reneau should have no problem scoring on the interior.

What Reneau and the Hoosiers' frontcourt need to do is rebound better. They should outrebound Rutgers. However, they can't get outmuscled by the Scarlett Knights. Rutgers is scrappy because they have to be. Indiana has to take advantage of its athleticism and not get out-hustled for the basketball.