Men’s basketball team captain Andrew Renner did not always know he wanted to pursue basketball in college. It wasn’t until his sophomore year of high school that Renner decided he wanted to play basketball over baseball in college.
Renner is from Cairo, Ohio, and went to Bath High School before moving roughly 14 miles down the road to attend Bluffton University. Now in his junior year playing basketball at Bluffton, Renner is averaging 18.1 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game.
In the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Renner currently sits at third for average points per game. He is also leading the HCAC in rebounds per game. With these impressive stats, however, Renner said he owes his successes so far this season to his team.
“Well, first off, my teammates put me in all the positions to succeed,” said Renner. “I wouldn’t be anywhere up at the top of those lists without their help.”
Renner also said putting in extra time and work in the off-season is really what his performance this year boils down to.
Head coach Guy Neal said Renner has steadily increased as a player from the time he was a freshman until now, citing Renner’s commitment to the game and the work that he puts in during the off season.
“His production that we have seen this season is the result of his time he has put in during the spring, summer and fall,” said Neal. “He was a pretty good player to begin with, but his hard work and commitment is what has gone in to him having a good year.”
As one of two captains, Renner uses his leadership role to help younger members of the team grow and thrive. Freshman Jameel Cosby and sophomore Dezman Brown are starting guards this season, and Renner said he remembers being in similar positions as them.
“I just try to help lead the team,” said Renner. “Some of the guys haven’t quite been in this position that they’ve been put in before. Jameel as a freshman…Dez has jumped into a starting roleーa lot of new guys are playing big minutes. So, with having that experience, I just try to help them through it and help them thrive.”
The men’s basketball team has had a successful season so far with an overall record of 14-5. Renner credited the team’s work ethic at practice and the toughness of the coaching staff for their triumphs thus far.
Renner said the team wants to be the best team it can be; the goal is to win a championship at the end of the season. In order to do that, he said they need to get better everyday.
The men’s basketball team lost to Hanover 78-55, Jan. 26, and is entering a challenging week of play as they’ll oppose Rose Hulman on Saturday, Feb. 2. Their game scheduled against Mount St. Joseph for Wednesday was canceled for dangerous weather conditions.
Renner said the team just needs to focus on playing its gameーplaying with confidence and having fun.
“We know that we are good enough to beat these teams, and it’s all in our heads right now,” said Renner.
