Indiana University Athletics
Saturday, January 11
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Goode Emerges as Starting Difference Maker for Surging Hoosiers
1/11/2025 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Legend says the pen is mightier than the sword, but can it also produce better basketball? Can reading a good book, the right book, a mind-over-matter book, boost performance?
As Indiana veteran forward Luke Goode proves, why not?
Consider that as starter or sub, the former Fort Wayne Homestead High School standout has thrived for three years at Illinois, and now a final season at IU.
In his last three games, all as a starter, the 6-7 Goode is averaging 11.3 points while making 10-of-15 3-point attempts. He has become the perimeter difference maker coach Mike Woodson had envisioned when Goode transferred.
This could make a huge difference Saturday night at Iowa (11-4 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten), and for the rest of the season.
Goode's improved play comes in part by taking assistant coach Brian Walsh's advice in reading "Mind Gym: An Athletes Guide to Inner Excellence." Author Gary Mack, a sports psychology consultant who has worked with multiple pro athletes over the years, emphasizes that the mind influences performance as much as physical skills do, and perhaps more.
Goode says reading the book, "Has really helped."
"I started reading it three games ago since I started shooting well," he says. The main message is "clearing your mind and letting everything happen."
Goode was basically a 39.0% 3-point shooter at Illinois. As a Hoosier, he burned Sam Houston State with five 3-pointers and 18 points, then went into a 6-for-29 perimeter slump low-lighted by 1-for-9 3-point shooting against Winthrop.
Goode's recent hot streak -- he was 4-for-5 from the perimeter while scoring 16 points Wednesday night against USC -- boosted his season percentage to 38.0%. For the season, he averages 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds (well above his Illinois average of 4.1 and 2.6) as he's emerged as a starter in the wake of forward Malik Reneau's injury.
"I'm super comfortable (as a starter)," Goode says. "My teammates make it easy for me. When I'm starting, the offense looks a little bit different. I think that helps everybody. We're able to get (center Oumar Ballo) looks. Spacing the floor with another shooter has been great for our team."
As far as going from reserve to starter, Goode says, "That's been the story of my career. In and out of lineups, playing what I need to play. When my teammates have confidence in me, whatever role they want me to play, I'm going to do the most I can."
What he does best includes putting in plenty of extra practice shooting time.
"It's a whole lot everything. Staying in the gym, staying consistent to the process and what I do. When you've got teammates that have trust in you and a coaching staff that never loses faith in what you do, good things happen."
He believed that even during his shooting slump.
"The coaches always say water finds its level. I came into the season as a 40 percent guy (from 3-point range). People knew that. When I'm not there, it's going to find its level.
"I had confidence, and my teammates had confidence in me to know when I'm out there, (the shot is) going to go up. I'm not going to lose that confidence in myself."
Walsh, a former starter at the University of Akron (and a reserve at Xavier before that), saw the book as a way to elevate Goode's play.
"Coach Walsh played a similar role to me in college," Goode says, "so he understands the shooting slumps and ups and downs and having that role."
The Hoosiers are 4-0 with Goode as a starter, averaging 80.0 points. In the last three games, they have made 27-of-71 (38.0%) 3-pointers.
Goode has helped IU (13-3 overall with a five-game winning streak) surge in the Big Ten standings. The Hoosiers are 4-1 in conference play, just behind Michigan (4-0) and Michigan State (4-0), and are tied with Illinois and Purdue.
Goode credits strong defense and rebounding for Indiana's improved play.
"Something we emphasize in practice is offensive rebounding," he says. "I know our numbers have gone up big time since the middle of the season or early season."
Hoosiers such as Ballo, guards Myles Rice and Trey Galloway, swingman Mackenzie Mgbako and forward Bryson Tucker are thriving with it.
"It helps us by getting easy looks," Goode says. "Myles is one of the more dynamic guards in the open court in the country. So, if we can get the ball in his hands after a missed shot, or get it to Gallo, who's a great decision maker, or me, Mack or Tuck, all the guys that can make plays, whether it's shooting or getting to go the rim, just spacing the floor and being able to play off a defensive rebound after a great defensive possession has been really important to us."
IU's 4-1 Big Ten start is its best since opening 7-0 in the 2015-16 season. The Hoosiers went on to win the conference title and reach the Sweet Sixteen that season.
Their 10-0 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall record is their best since opening 12-0 in the 2021-22 season.
While Indiana's improved 3-point shooting gets much of the recent attention, don't overlook the overall offensive execution that has produced eight or fewer turnovers in three of the last four games. IU had just six turnovers against USC while totaling 17 assists.
During the Hoosiers' five-game winning streak, they've averaged 16.6 assists against 9.2 turnovers.
Playing one post player has improved the spacing and offensive flow, but that doesn't mean Reneau will become a reserve when he returns from injury. He averages 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, shoots 60.3% from the field and 73.7% from the line, ranks among team leaders in steals (18) and assists (32).
"It gives us better space," Woodson says, "but make no mistake about it, Malik is a big part of what we do. He's not going anywhere."
IU's occasional slow starts don't worry Woodson given the way the Hoosiers have recently responded to them.
"Our team has shown they don't quit," he says.
IU's five-game winning streak suggests the team is building after a disappointing 1-2 effort in the Bahamas and a double-digit loss at Nebraska.
"We have seven new players," Woodson says. "We're still trying to figure it out just like every Big Ten team, every college team, in the country. When you make drastic changes to your roster, it takes time.
"We're starting to grow and learn one another. Guys are feeling comfortable about who can do what and who can't do what. It makes a big difference. We've still got a long way to go. We're still growing."
Growth includes taking advantage of depth. When Mgbako struggled against USC, failing to score while going 0-for-8 from the field in 15 minutes, Woodson went more with freshman Bryson Tucker, who had nine points, four rebounds, and an assist.
"It's what you do with the minutes you get," Woodson says. "The guys who came in off the bench gave us positive minutes. That set us up to win."
Galloway sees the team positives from Mgbako's struggles.
"Mackenzie is a guy who can get it going whenever. There will be times when it's not your night. That's what good teams are all about -- winning when guys are not playing as well and other guys can pick it up for them.
"It's knowing that next game, we're going to need him to step it up and he's going to be ready. We'll continue to build that confidence with him. He's a confident player who makes shots. He's a shot-maker for us. He's going to continue to do that, and we've got to continue to get him in the right spots to make shots. Tell him it's going to be fine.
"As long as we win, it doesn't matter. We win as a team, so it's good."
Iowa, which is 9-1 at home, leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in scoring at 89.9 points per game. It makes 10.8 3-pointers a game while shooting 39.1% beyond the arc.
The Hawkeyes are led by Owen Freeman (16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), Payton Sandfort (16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds), and Josh Dix (14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists). Six players average at least 9.0 points.
Coach Fran McCaffery has won 541 career games, 290 in 15 seasons at Iowa. IU has lost two straight at Carver Hawkeye Arena.
"Whenever you go on the road," Galloway says, "it's always a challenge. You've just got to bring it.
"Focus on Iowa and know what we've got to do."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Legend says the pen is mightier than the sword, but can it also produce better basketball? Can reading a good book, the right book, a mind-over-matter book, boost performance?
As Indiana veteran forward Luke Goode proves, why not?
Consider that as starter or sub, the former Fort Wayne Homestead High School standout has thrived for three years at Illinois, and now a final season at IU.
In his last three games, all as a starter, the 6-7 Goode is averaging 11.3 points while making 10-of-15 3-point attempts. He has become the perimeter difference maker coach Mike Woodson had envisioned when Goode transferred.
This could make a huge difference Saturday night at Iowa (11-4 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten), and for the rest of the season.
Goode's improved play comes in part by taking assistant coach Brian Walsh's advice in reading "Mind Gym: An Athletes Guide to Inner Excellence." Author Gary Mack, a sports psychology consultant who has worked with multiple pro athletes over the years, emphasizes that the mind influences performance as much as physical skills do, and perhaps more.
Goode says reading the book, "Has really helped."
"I started reading it three games ago since I started shooting well," he says. The main message is "clearing your mind and letting everything happen."
Goode was basically a 39.0% 3-point shooter at Illinois. As a Hoosier, he burned Sam Houston State with five 3-pointers and 18 points, then went into a 6-for-29 perimeter slump low-lighted by 1-for-9 3-point shooting against Winthrop.
Goode's recent hot streak -- he was 4-for-5 from the perimeter while scoring 16 points Wednesday night against USC -- boosted his season percentage to 38.0%. For the season, he averages 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds (well above his Illinois average of 4.1 and 2.6) as he's emerged as a starter in the wake of forward Malik Reneau's injury.
"I'm super comfortable (as a starter)," Goode says. "My teammates make it easy for me. When I'm starting, the offense looks a little bit different. I think that helps everybody. We're able to get (center Oumar Ballo) looks. Spacing the floor with another shooter has been great for our team."
As far as going from reserve to starter, Goode says, "That's been the story of my career. In and out of lineups, playing what I need to play. When my teammates have confidence in me, whatever role they want me to play, I'm going to do the most I can."
What he does best includes putting in plenty of extra practice shooting time.
"It's a whole lot everything. Staying in the gym, staying consistent to the process and what I do. When you've got teammates that have trust in you and a coaching staff that never loses faith in what you do, good things happen."
He believed that even during his shooting slump.
"The coaches always say water finds its level. I came into the season as a 40 percent guy (from 3-point range). People knew that. When I'm not there, it's going to find its level.
"I had confidence, and my teammates had confidence in me to know when I'm out there, (the shot is) going to go up. I'm not going to lose that confidence in myself."
Walsh, a former starter at the University of Akron (and a reserve at Xavier before that), saw the book as a way to elevate Goode's play.
"Coach Walsh played a similar role to me in college," Goode says, "so he understands the shooting slumps and ups and downs and having that role."
The Hoosiers are 4-0 with Goode as a starter, averaging 80.0 points. In the last three games, they have made 27-of-71 (38.0%) 3-pointers.
Goode has helped IU (13-3 overall with a five-game winning streak) surge in the Big Ten standings. The Hoosiers are 4-1 in conference play, just behind Michigan (4-0) and Michigan State (4-0), and are tied with Illinois and Purdue.
Goode credits strong defense and rebounding for Indiana's improved play.
"Something we emphasize in practice is offensive rebounding," he says. "I know our numbers have gone up big time since the middle of the season or early season."
Hoosiers such as Ballo, guards Myles Rice and Trey Galloway, swingman Mackenzie Mgbako and forward Bryson Tucker are thriving with it.
"It helps us by getting easy looks," Goode says. "Myles is one of the more dynamic guards in the open court in the country. So, if we can get the ball in his hands after a missed shot, or get it to Gallo, who's a great decision maker, or me, Mack or Tuck, all the guys that can make plays, whether it's shooting or getting to go the rim, just spacing the floor and being able to play off a defensive rebound after a great defensive possession has been really important to us."
IU's 4-1 Big Ten start is its best since opening 7-0 in the 2015-16 season. The Hoosiers went on to win the conference title and reach the Sweet Sixteen that season.
Their 10-0 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall record is their best since opening 12-0 in the 2021-22 season.
While Indiana's improved 3-point shooting gets much of the recent attention, don't overlook the overall offensive execution that has produced eight or fewer turnovers in three of the last four games. IU had just six turnovers against USC while totaling 17 assists.
During the Hoosiers' five-game winning streak, they've averaged 16.6 assists against 9.2 turnovers.
Playing one post player has improved the spacing and offensive flow, but that doesn't mean Reneau will become a reserve when he returns from injury. He averages 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, shoots 60.3% from the field and 73.7% from the line, ranks among team leaders in steals (18) and assists (32).
"It gives us better space," Woodson says, "but make no mistake about it, Malik is a big part of what we do. He's not going anywhere."
IU's occasional slow starts don't worry Woodson given the way the Hoosiers have recently responded to them.
"Our team has shown they don't quit," he says.
IU's five-game winning streak suggests the team is building after a disappointing 1-2 effort in the Bahamas and a double-digit loss at Nebraska.
"We have seven new players," Woodson says. "We're still trying to figure it out just like every Big Ten team, every college team, in the country. When you make drastic changes to your roster, it takes time.
"We're starting to grow and learn one another. Guys are feeling comfortable about who can do what and who can't do what. It makes a big difference. We've still got a long way to go. We're still growing."
Growth includes taking advantage of depth. When Mgbako struggled against USC, failing to score while going 0-for-8 from the field in 15 minutes, Woodson went more with freshman Bryson Tucker, who had nine points, four rebounds, and an assist.
"It's what you do with the minutes you get," Woodson says. "The guys who came in off the bench gave us positive minutes. That set us up to win."
Galloway sees the team positives from Mgbako's struggles.
"Mackenzie is a guy who can get it going whenever. There will be times when it's not your night. That's what good teams are all about -- winning when guys are not playing as well and other guys can pick it up for them.
"It's knowing that next game, we're going to need him to step it up and he's going to be ready. We'll continue to build that confidence with him. He's a confident player who makes shots. He's a shot-maker for us. He's going to continue to do that, and we've got to continue to get him in the right spots to make shots. Tell him it's going to be fine.
"As long as we win, it doesn't matter. We win as a team, so it's good."
Iowa, which is 9-1 at home, leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in scoring at 89.9 points per game. It makes 10.8 3-pointers a game while shooting 39.1% beyond the arc.
The Hawkeyes are led by Owen Freeman (16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), Payton Sandfort (16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds), and Josh Dix (14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists). Six players average at least 9.0 points.
Coach Fran McCaffery has won 541 career games, 290 in 15 seasons at Iowa. IU has lost two straight at Carver Hawkeye Arena.
"Whenever you go on the road," Galloway says, "it's always a challenge. You've just got to bring it.
"Focus on Iowa and know what we've got to do."
Players Mentioned
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