KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sure, it was just an exhibition game in late October that doesn’t count in the standings, but No. 17-ranked Indiana learned a lot in its 66-62 win over No. 12 Tennessee that will pay many dividends down the road.
The Hoosiers shook off a brutal first half offensive and rode the coattails of junior forward Malik Reneau to pull off a comeback victory. He scored 10 straight points — and finished with 21 on the day — for the Hoosiers over a three-minute window late in the second half, finally getting the Hoosiers ahead. Then he and point guard Myles Rice made one big play after another to seal the deal.
It was a big win on the road against the defending SEC champions that reached the Elite Eight a year ago. That’s a good way to start the season, exhibition game or no…