‘Water finds its level’: Luke Goode finding new level of consistency for Indiana basketball

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The term ‘glue guy’ has become a popular saying across college basketball in the past few years. The definition reads; ‘the guy who held everyone work together and the leader on the team who may not always be the best player, but a guy with a leadership role.’ It’s clear now for Indiana basketball — it’s Luke Goode.

Goode came to Indiana with the expectation of being a key player and leader for the team. He was experienced. He played significant roles on winning teams. And most importantly, he was consistent with his role every given night.

Despite all of that, his career in Bloomington didn’t start the way he wanted. Through the first seven games he was just 6-of-21 from three and was averaging just 4.3 points per game.

After Wednesday’s 82-69 win over USC, Goode was open about the adjustment period this year — but also what’s helped him though the early struggles.

“Coach Walsh actually played a similar role to me in college. So he understands the shooting slumps and ups and downs and having that role on a team,” Goode said after the win. “He actually gave me a book that I’ve been reading. It’s really helped. I started reading it three games ago since I’ve started shooting the ball well.”

The book is called ‘Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence’. How has it helped?

“It’s just about clearing your mind,” he said. “And letting everything happen.”

Goode has shot 42 percent on 2.3 made 3s a game since that dry spell to start the season. He’s hit at least three 3s in five of the nine games and scored in double figures three times. That includes Wednesday’s performance — 16 points while going 4-of-5 from three.

Since Goode was inserted into the starting lineup for Indiana basketball four games ago, he’s averaged 11.3 points and shot 45.8 percent from three (11-of-24). Since January arrived, he’s gone 10-of-15 from three in three games.

“Yeah, I’m super comfortable. My teammates make it easy for me,” Goode said. “When I’m starting in the game the offense looks a little bit different. I think that helps everybody that’s involved. Able to get (Oumar) Ballo looks, spacing the floor with another shooter has been great for our team.”

His recent stretch is no surprise — to him, his coaches or his teammates.

“Something the coaches always says is, ‘water finds its level’. I came into a season as a career 40 percent guy and people knew that, and when I’m not there it’s going to find its level,” Goode said. “So I had the confidence and my teammates had the confidence in me to know when I’m out there it’s going to go up. I’m not going to lose that confidence in myself.”

Water finding its level is the story of Goode’s season. Through 16 games, Goode is averaging 7.4 points per game while shooting 38 percent from three on 1.7 made 3s a game. It’s a career-high in points per game, as are the 1.7 makes per game.

“Been the story of my career. In and out of the lineups playing what I need to play,” Goode said. “When my teammates have confidence in me, whatever role they want me to play, I’m going to do to to the most I can.

“When you got teammates that have trust in you and a coaching staff that never loses faith in what you do, good things happen.”

Much like Goode’s season is Indiana’s. After a slow and inconsistent start, Indiana basketball is now finding its identity and finding a rhythm. And, both are playing their best basketball at the right time.

While there is still almost half the season to go, Luke Goode has been everything and more that Indiana basketball needed and wanted him to be — high energy, high IQ, knocks down shots, leads. Couldn’t ask for anything more, and he continues to get better with each game.

And he’s not only a ‘glue guy’ for Indiana, he’s clearly turned into one of the most important players for the Hoosiers.

SEE ALSO: ‘Scrappy’ and a team that ‘doesn’t quit’. With identity beginning to form, Indiana basketball hitting its stride at the right time

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.