Indiana beats Tennessee 66-62 in exhibition game thanks to strong second half

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee. Granted, it was just a late-October exhibition game that doesn’t count toward the standings, but No. 17-ranked Indiana learned a lot from its 66-62 win over No. 12 Tennessee that will go a long way. . dividends in the future.

The Hoosiers fended off a brutal offensive attack in the first half and capitalized on the services of junior forward Malik Renaud to earn a comeback victory. He scored 10 straight points (and finished with 21 points on the day) for the Hoosiers in a three-minute period late in the second half, finally giving the Hoosiers the lead. He and point guard Miles Rice then made one big play after another to seal the deal.

It was a big road win over the defending SEC champions, who made the Elite Eight a year ago. It’s a good way to start the season, exhibition game or not.

“We scored 41 points (in the second half), and that was more than enough,” Indiana coach Mike Woodson said of the Hoosiers’ offense, which was terrible early in the game. “We were better in the second half and we’re capable of getting it done. I just want these guys to take shots. We’re capable of scoring the ball and we’re a lot better than we showed tonight.”

“Malik made several moves. It’s huge (closing the game like that) because it was back and forth. When you’re on the road, I don’t care how you win. You have to understand that, and I think we succeeded. Hopefully it will pay off for us.”

The first half didn’t go well for an Indiana team that wants to run more and make – and hit – more 3-pointers. It was a terrible game in the first 20 minutes, with the Hoosiers missing all 11 of their 3-point attempts. They also had 10 turnovers, but were saved by solid defense. They trailed just 26-25 at halftime.

They kept the ball close but could not overcome the difficulties for the first 13 minutes of the second half before Reno took over. He found more space in the lane and also hit a big 3-pointer to give Indiana a 55-54 lead with 6:21 left.

“That three was huge for Malik,” Woodson said.

Reno was 8-of-12 from the field and also grabbed eight rebounds in 33 minutes. Rice, playing his first game in an Indiana uniform after transferring from Washington State, added 20 points and made big play after big play down the stretch, including a big jumper as the shot clock wound down in the final minute.

“I have a lot of confidence in him. He wins the basketball and he can score the ball,” Woodson said of Rice. “He can also make free throws, which is a bonus.”

Woodson admits Tennessee’s stingy defense made the Hoosiers look bad at times, but that was also the goal of this exhibition game.

“In this Tennessee, a lot of teams are going to have a hard time scoring because they chase you,” Woodson said. “You can learn a lot in a game like this. I like this kind of competition. Our guys win.” at each other, but not like that.”

Reno, a junior from Miami, Fla., who averaged 15.4 points per game a year ago, was pleased with how well the Hoosiers came back in the second half. Getting 41 points is good, especially for a team that has a lot of new faces. They are still trying to feel comfortable with each other.

“We picked up the pace (in the second half), going up and down,” Renaud said. “We were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes, but I think we’re still trying to get used to the offense. We had a good idea here and there, but we still need to go out on a good note so we can be better in later, when we start playing in the Big Ten.

“This game gives us a lot of confidence in each other. Especially playing for a team in the top 10 rankings, or wherever they are. It just gives us so much confidence that the next guy will come in and compete at a high level.” It won’t be like the starters will leave and there will be a bench. Everyone is ready to go out on the field and give it their all every time.”

Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako was the only Hoosier in double figures, scoring 12 points. They all came in the second half, making 5 of 7 shots, including two 3-pointers. Indiana was 4 of 8 from deep in the second half.

Transfer Umar Ballo (Arizona) had six and 11 rebounds, and Kanaan Carlisle had five points and four assists. The Hoosiers only got two free throws from Gabe Capps off the bench. Luke Gooden, playing his first game at Indiana after transferring from Illinois, was 0-for-5 on the night, missing all three of his 3-pointers.

Indiana will play another exhibition game Friday night when it takes on Marian at the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The regular season all-stars will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at home against SIU-Edwardsville.