This story has been updated to include new information.
BLOOMINGTON – Junior forward Malik Reneau, Indiana’s leading scorer, exited Thursday’s game against Rutgers on just the second possession of the first half with an apparent knee injury.
Reneau, who began the game with a wide-open layup off the tip, went down underneath the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall north basket during Rutgers’ return trip. It was unclear exactly what caused his discomfort, but after receiving treatment to his right knee/leg from head trainer Tim Garl, Reneau limped off under his own power.
He exited the floor through the tunnel behind Indiana’s bench and did not return to the floor, even as a spectator, for the first of the first half.
Play-by-play broadcaster Noah Eagle later confirmed on the game broadcast Reneau had been ruled out for the rest of the game.
He returned to the bench after halftime with a heavy ice pack wrapped around his right knee.
Reneau’s absence was felt keenly. His 15 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game make him one of the Hoosiers’ most diversely impactful players. And he would’ve been a natural cover for Ace Bailey, Rutgers’ star freshman who had 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting in the first half.
In Reneau’s absence, Oumar Ballo — who did not start Thursday’s game — played extended first-half minutes off the bench.
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