"We’ve got everything we need": Luke Goode boosts Indiana’s basketball renaissance as Hoosiers eyes enhanced offense and winning ways

The Indiana Hoosiers reloaded during the offseason, securing quality players from the transfer portal and a five-star small forward prospect who would complement the current system handled by coach Mike Woodson.

The Hoosiers are a part of the Big Ten Conference, which expanded to 18 teams after welcoming former Pac-12 members Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington this year. Among the quality acquisitions for Indiana during the offseason was Illinois forward Luke Goode.

Goode, coming off an Elite Eight finish with the Fighting Illini last season, had a so-so clip of 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. But his 3-point marksmanship (39% from beyond the arc) makes him a good hire for Indiana, providing the versatility the team needs in the 2024-25 college basketball season.

During a team media day event in Bloomington, Goode boasts of the Hoosiers' new look, pointing out that this team is very different from last season.

"We’ve got everything we need — great bigs, great guards, great wings. Heading into the season, everybody on the team and in the program is excited," said Goode.

With three of last year's top four scorers Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako and Trey Galloway returning and the versatility of big transfer portal hires Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle, Woodson needed a shooter who could also stand his ground on the paint. Fortunately, Goode was available.

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Luke Goode excited to play alongside Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako

Indiana forward Luke Goode expressed excitement about playing alongside former rivals Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau and noted that he's ready to play power forward for Mike Woodson's system when needed.

"Having me and Mack (Mgbako) on the floor at the same time, especially in a lineup like that, with Malik — who’s also a capable scorer and has come a really long way this summer with his shot — everybody wants to talk about how I’m going to come in and knock down shots, and that’s what we need, but you need shooters for space," Goode said.

The shooter was one of the key pieces of the Illinois team that ranked third nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency last season, per Ken Pomeroy, and is one of the most efficient teams in the Big Ten, and was only behind national championship runner-up Purdue in that department.

Goode also spoke about how Indiana will use its speedy and dynamic lineup to secure wins this coming season and noted that it will begin with transfer guards Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle.

"Actually scouted him (Myles Rice) in the tournament, so I was very familiar with his game, and it’s exactly what you saw last year, and at a higher level. Kanaan as well, I wasn’t as familiar with him, but he’s a great player, super dynamic, really good with the ball in his hands," Goode said.

The Hoosiers begin their 2024-25 college basketball season with exhibition games against Tennessee on Oct. 27 and Marian on Nov. 1. Their regular season starts on Nov. 6 against SIU Edwardsville at the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.