That’s A Wrap: Luke Goode

Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2024-25 Indiana Hoosiers. Our player recaps continue with Luke Goode.

Goode (32 games): 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 41.4 FG% and 39.2 3FG% in 26.7 minutes per game.

Previously: Bryson Tucker, Kanaan Carlyle, Mackenzie Mgbako, Myles Rice, Malik Reneau, Anthony Leal, Langdon Hatton, Trey Galloway

When Luke Goode transferred to Indiana from Illinois in the offseason, he wasn’t just finding a new program to play for. He was achieving a lifelong dream of being a Hoosier.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana native spent three seasons with the Illini and averaged 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds on 39.2 percent shooting and 38.8 percent mark from 3-point range. In his junior year, he played a key role off the bench in an Elite Eight run.

The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter started his Indiana tenure in a slump. In the Hoosiers’ first seven games through the Battle 4 Atlantis, Goode shot 8-for-27 (29.6 percent) from the field, including 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) from deep.

Returning to Assembly Hall on Dec. 3 to face Sam Houston, Goode finally found his shot. He scored a career-high 18 points, shooting 5-for-7 from long distance in 16 minutes.

After that, Goode’s shooting struggles returned and plagued him through the New Year. However, it became increasingly apparent that he had a more important role than a shooter — he was Indiana’s outspoken leader on the floor.

Despite being unable to consistently contribute offensively at the time, Goode did everything from calling out screens, cutters and plays to taking it upon himself to huddle his teammates together.

Goode earned his first start on Dec. 29 against Winthrop. In the next three games resuming Big Ten play, his shooting finally clicked as he sniped 10-of-15 triples in wins against Rutgers, Penn State and USC.

Following consecutive 25-point losses to Iowa and Illinois, he assured fans that the Hoosiers would get it together and get wins rolling. Then, he backed it up.

In the next game, January 17 in Columbus, Goode scored a new career-high of 23 points with three rebounds in another collegiate-high 41 minutes to lift IU past Ohio State in overtime.

Despite producing key numbers in an eight-game stretch starting, Goode moved back to the bench following a January 22 loss at Northwestern. The Hoosiers proceeded to lose the next four games.

He returned to his starting role at Michigan State, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds and four steals to contribute to an upset win. He maintained his starting spot for the remainder of the season.

As the Hoosiers tried to make a late season push, Goode remained one of Indiana’s most consistent pieces. His production was steady, his effort among the most on the floor and his leadership an integral factor.

After a cold start to the season, Goode fit the bill of his sharpshooting role, then exceeded expectations with the immense impact his leadership and initiative played in Indiana’s season. It can be argued that the Hoosiers would have spiraled on many occasions had Goode not stepped up.

Bottom line: Whether the stats showed it or not, Goode was consistently one of Indiana’s most important players. His 3-point shooting abilities created much needed floor spacing allowing IU’s inside-out offense to flourish and his guidance kept the Hoosiers united. Goode’s career is done as of now, but he is pursuing a NCAA hardship waiver for a fifth year and stated he would return to Indiana if so. He played in 10 of Illinois’ 33 games in 2022-23.

Quotable: “It’s super special. The first game I played at home was kind of cool. It was like a shock… I hope people realize that when I go out there and play. I play as hard as I possibly can when I’m on the court to represent this program the way it should be represented,” Goode said about what it means to play for Indiana following the team’s win against Sam Houston on December 3.

Category: Commentary

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