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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Ottawa

By Rees Woodcock

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 02: Ty Rodgers #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 02: Ty Rodgers #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) shoots the ball as Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman reacts during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Luke Goode is going to be deadly

Illinois fans were robbed of having a team that could go deep in the NCAA tournament last season. One of the reasons we were robbed of that is Luke Goode being hurt for the majority of the year.

Goode is a great shooter, and he could have helped Illinois win more games during the 2022-23 campaign. As a leader and experienced veteran, we haven’t been able to see him put together a full season due to injury. We only got a 10-game sample size last year. That is going to change, though.

On Friday night, Goode got the start against Ottawa. He is finally getting the chance to put in a full season of work. From the jump, Goode’s ability to knock down shots showed.

In the first few minutes of the game, Goode was able to hit multiple shots from different areas on the court. He knocked down a three-pointer, which helped boost the Illini lead. But what really sets him apart is the fact he is smart with his shooting.

Goode could have taken a three-point shot from the wing, but with a man closing in on him, he pulled the ball down dribbled a couple of times, and took a baseline jumper. This jumper went in from probably 12-14 feet, and he added two points on the board.

The fact Goode can shoot from multiple levels makes him so dangerous. Illinois has always needed a shooter like Goode, and his presence on the court is going to help his teammates with spacing. Goode is the complete package, and I am excited to see what he can do with a full season.

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