Todd’s Opinion: Malik Reneau Should Have Received Higher Marks From Preseason Voters, But It’s A Strange, Diluted Big Ten

Todd’s Opinion: Malik Reneau Should Have Received Higher Marks From Preseason Voters, But It’s A Strange, Diluted Big Ten

Todd’s Opinion: Malik Reneau Deserved Higher Marks from Preseason Voters, But the Big Ten Is a Strange, Diluted Landscape

As the preseason ballots rolled out, there was a glaring omission that caught my eye—Malik Reneau, the Indiana Hoosiers’ versatile forward, didn’t receive the recognition he truly deserved. While Reneau did garner some attention, it wasn’t quite at the level I believe he’s earned. To me, this reflects a broader issue within the current Big Ten landscape: a conference that has become so diluted and unpredictable that even standout talents like Reneau struggle to get the credit they merit.

Why Reneau Deserves More Respect

First, let’s talk about what Malik Reneau brings to the table. At 6’9” and 235 pounds, he’s a versatile, modern forward with the ability to stretch the floor and play physical in the paint. Last season, in his freshman campaign, Reneau showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game. While these numbers don’t jump off the page, it’s the potential that should have preseason voters paying more attention.

Reneau’s combination of size, agility, and basketball IQ is rare. He’s the type of player who can guard multiple positions and create mismatches, especially in the Big Ten, where versatile forwards who can both bang in the post and step out for a jumper are highly valued. With Trayce Jackson-Davis now in the NBA, Reneau is poised to take on a much larger role for Indiana this season, and his skillset suggests he’ll thrive with the increased responsibility.

Voters often tend to base preseason rankings on past performance, but in the case of Reneau, his sophomore leap is something that should have been projected. The kid has all the tools to be one of the top forwards in the conference, and it’s perplexing that preseason voters didn’t give him the benefit of the doubt.

A Diluted Big Ten

Now, let’s take a step back and look at the broader context of the Big Ten. The conference has become a strange mix of underachieving powers and emerging programs that have yet to cement themselves as consistent forces. It’s no longer the conference where you can easily predict which teams will be at the top or which players will dominate.

For example, last season we saw Purdue dominate the regular season only to be stunned in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson. Meanwhile, Michigan, a perennial contender, didn’t even make the tournament. This unpredictability seems to have carried over into preseason expectations as well.

Programs like Illinois and Maryland have recruited well but have yet to fully prove themselves as consistent forces. Wisconsin and Michigan State, traditionally strong programs, are in the midst of rebuilding cycles. This kind of inconsistency makes it difficult for voters to confidently assess which players will rise to the top. As a result, players like Reneau—who don’t come from one of the conference’s top-tier programs (at least for the moment)—can get overlooked.

Star Power Overlooked

The Big Ten’s reputation has traditionally been built on a combination of team toughness and individual stars. Players like Cassius Winston, Luka Garza, and Jaden Ivey were known commodities that preseason voters could rely on to lead their teams. But in this diluted era, we’re seeing fewer sure-fire stars and more up-and-comers who could break out—but haven’t yet. That’s precisely why someone like Reneau, a player on the verge of breaking out, should have gotten more attention. In a season where the Big Ten is filled with question marks, he could very well emerge as one of the conference’s top players.

### Conclusion

Malik Reneau’s lack of recognition in the preseason polls is, to me, a symptom of the broader issues plaguing the Big Ten. In a conference that’s become increasingly unpredictable and diluted, it’s easy for voters to overlook players who aren’t already household names. But if you’re paying attention, you know that Reneau has all the tools to make a significant impact this season. The Big Ten may be strange and unpredictable, but Reneau’s talent shouldn’t be—and I have a feeling voters will be forced to notice soon enough.