INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana improved to 4-0 with an 86-56 win against Miami (OH) on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here are five takeaways from the win against the RedHawks:
Trayce Jackson-Davis dominates (again)
Through four games, Trayce Jackson-Davis is living up to his preseason All-American billing.
After Sunday’s 17 points and 16 rebounds in 25 minutes against Miami (OH), Jackson-Davis is sitting at fifth in Ken Pomeroy’s national player of the year rankings.
Jackson-Davis has been hyper-efficient this season. He’s shooting 75.6 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. He’s averaging 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds despite logging only 26.3 minutes on average through four games.
We still haven’t seen Jackson-Davis step out to the perimeter, and likely won’t, but his improved free throw shooting is a key development.
Last season, Jackson-Davis led the Big Ten in free throw rate (FTA/FGA), but shot only 66.1 percent from the line in league play. If he can keep up the improvement as the season continues, it could be the difference in a close game.
Miller Kopp continues to knock down 3s
Indiana isn’t taking a high volume of 3-pointers, but the Hoosiers are knocking down 36.8 percent from distance through four games.
Fifth-year senior Miller Kopp continued his hot shooting on Sunday, knocking down two of his five attempts in IU’s 30-point win.
The 6-foot-7 senior doesn’t have a high usage rate – just 15.4 percent so far – but he’s making the most of the shots he’s taking. Kopp has connected on nine 3s this season, six more than anyone else on the roster.
It’s unrealistic to think Kopp can continue to shoot 52.9 percent on 3s. But if he can continue to provide floor spacing and knock down timely shots, he’ll remain a key figure in Indiana’s rotation all season.
Malik Reneau makes the most of his minutes
The freshman forward has come off the bench in all four games to start the season but is making a major impact.
Reneau is Indiana’s second-leading scorer at 11.5 points per game in just 17.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 73.1 percent on 2s and has the highest usage rate on the team among regulars at 28.7 percent, per KenPom.
His performance against Miami (OH) drew strong praise from coach Travis Steele.
“Listen, Malik probably doesn’t get enough play, like I’m saying as far as meaning how good he is,” Steele explained. “He’s phenomenal. He’s really, really good.”
The…