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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to the Indiana Hoosiers

By Rees Woodcock

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on February 18, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on February 18, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Jalen Hood-Schifino #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers passes the ball while defended by Luke Goode #10 and Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on February 18, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Jalen Hood-Schifino #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers passes the ball while defended by Luke Goode #10 and Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on February 18, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

4. I am glad to have Luke Goode back in the lineup

Through the vast majority of the season, the Illinois basketball team hasn’t had our full lineup on the court. We have been missing a player here or there, and we were missing one extremely important piece.

As mentioned in the previous slides, Illinois didn’t have a fully healthy Matthew Mayer in the first game against Indiana. Mayer was back for the second game, but Terrence Shannon Jr. was missing due to a concussion.

In that first game, Mayer’s health wasn’t the only issue for the Illini. We were also missing a key contributor in Luke Goode.

Goode really started to come onto the scene last season, and this year was supposed to be his coming-out party. He had a chance to do some special things. But an injury derailed his sophomore season. Goode had to sit out for much of the season thus far, and his first game back was against Rutgers a few games ago.

In the Rutgers game, Goode got five minutes. He then received 10 minutes against Penn State. On Saturday against Indiana, Goode was fully unleashed on the Hoosiers. He was everything I wanted too.

Goode would finish the game with seven points, two rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range. It wasn’t just his offensive prowess that impressed me, though.

I love that Goode can defend. He isn’t sloppy with his defense, and he sure as heck isn’t lazy. Goode can move his feet and stay in front of the offensive player quite well. His presence was felt in the 23 crucial minutes he was out on the court.

Illinois is finally getting healthy. We have been waiting for this moment for quite some time. Goode is now ready to take his fair share of minutes and shoot us deep into the NCAA tournament.

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