Mike Woodson Updates Health of Xavier Johnson, Malik Reneau Before Maryland Game

Heading into Indiana's Big Ten opener against Maryland on Friday, coach Mike Woodson said Indiana is still evaluating Xavier Johnson, who left Sunday's game against Harvard with an ankle injury. Sophomore forward Malik Reneau is ready to play.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana begins Big Ten play Friday against Maryland, less than a week after two starters were banged up in an 89-76 win over Harvard.

Indiana's sixth-year point guard Xavier Johnson left late in the first half and did not return. He had ice wrapped around his foot and ankle throughout the second half. Johnson has been listed as questionable prior to the last three games against UConn, Louisville and Harvard, but he has started every game. The initial injury seemed to have occurred late in the second half against Wright State on Nov. 16.

"We're still evaluating X to see where he is," Woodson said Thursday. "If he can't play, hey, it's just the next man up, you know. That's how it's always been here, and injuries are part of the game. You know, nothing you can do about it. If he can't play, then I expect somebody else to step up and play."

Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson (0) looks at his ankle on the bench during the game against Harvard in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 :: Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

If Johnson is unable to play, more minutes would likely go to a combination of Trey Galloway, Gabe Cupps, CJ Gunn and Anthony Leal. The first three have been in the rotation all year, and their importance takes a big leap up if Johnson is sidelined.

But Leal, a senior and former Indiana Mr. Basketball winner at Bloomington South High School, got his first chance to play all year against Harvard. He didn't score in six minutes of action, but he grabbed one rebound and assisted a Reneau layup.

Leal played in 37 games across his freshman and sophomore season under former head coach Archie Miller, scoring a total of 65 points. He's played sparingly in two seasons under Woodson, but that could change moving forward.

"There was an Anthony Leal sighting," Woodson said Tuesday on his radio show. "No really, I thought he came in and gave us some positive minutes when we really needed it. So there's a chance that he could get some minutes now. That's not nothing against him because he's done everything we've asked him to do. So I was happy as hell for him to step in and play the way he played last night."

Woodson had a more promising update on sophomore forward Malik Reneau, who went to the locker while grabbing his back in pain against Harvard. Reneau returned to action later in the game and finished with 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.

"He'll be ready to play," Woodson said Thursday.

Reneau is in the midst of a breakout sophomore season after playing a backup role behind veterans Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson last season. Playing nearly twice as many minutes as last year and starting every game, Reneau has improved from 6.1 to 15.3 points per game.

"The difference is [Reneau] put the time in this summer," Woodson said. "His body has changed. It's not the same body he came in as a freshman. We thought we trimmed him down. He trimmed down even more and put the work in this summer, and it's paying off. That's what young players have to do. They have work in the summer to get ready for the upcoming season and put time in on the floor. That's the only way you're going to get better, and he's done that."

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• MEET MARYLAND: Indiana hosts a 4-3 Maryland team on Friday night that has been strong defensively this season but remains in search of consistent offensive production beyond Jahmir Young and Julian Reese. CLICK HERE
• BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS: Indiana will participate in the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis event, along with Arizona, Creighton, Davidson, Gonzaga, Louisville, Oklahoma and West Virginia. CLICK HERE