Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Michigan State

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Dec 6, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) and teammates react during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) and teammates react during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

3. How much run will Goode get?

A big sticking point for me this season has been the lack of playing time the freshmen have received. People are probably getting tired of me typing it, but I want to see more playing time for the trio of talented youngsters.

One of the three freshmen is Luke Goode. A big question I have for the game on Saturday is how much run will Goode get in meaningful minutes?

Goode’s playing time has been sporadic this season. He received more minutes early on this season, but the most playing time he has seen was in the first game against Michigan State.

Illinois was shorthanded in the first game against the Spartans. Even the starting guards on the court weren’t producing, see slide one of this article. With the team shorthanded and most of the players struggling, Goode was called upon from the bench.

Without any rust at all, Goode entered the game against Michigan State and played 28 minutes. He would finish the night with nine points, four rebounds, and two assists. He was also 3-of-4 from the field, and all of those were three-point shots.

One would think, with Goode getting 28 minutes and being one of the saviors against Michigan State, the coaching staff would give him more minutes in future games. That didn’t happen, though.

In the five games he has played in since that Michigan State game, Goode has received fewer than eight minutes in each contest. Underwood just isn’t playing the Fort Wayne native and it is mind-boggling.

Home/Illinois Basketball