Illinois' Luke Goode Never Forgot About The Process While Reaching This Point

Illinois junior guard Luke Goode battled injuries this season but still has been a key contributor in helping the team reach the Big Ten title game

Illinois coach Brad Underwood could have spent the entire postgame press conference talking about guard Terrence Shannon. 

Shannon scored a career-high 40 points in the Illini's victory against Nebraska in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. But Underwood couldn't help but mention Luke Goode because of what he's endured this season. 

After batting injuries, Goode contributed 12 points off the bench in the win. All of his points came on four 3-pointers. 

"Luke made some [shots], which was absolutely great to see," Underwood said. "He's been fighting some injuries with tendinitis in his knee and his ankle."

Despite the setbacks throughout the year, Goode stayed the course. Friday was his first game in double-figures in nearly two months. 

"I've said since I got to Illinois, it's just believing in the process," Goode said. "Anybody that's watched Illinois over the past month knows it's been a lot of ups and downs, especially for myself but I just got to keep going, keep working hard in practice. I feel like I brought it in practice. To have a game like this, it was nice to have for the confidence." 

Here's the game preview for today's Big Ten title game against Wisconsin: 

Game time: 2:30 pm., CT

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis

TV: Big Ten Network, CBS

Betting line: Illinois -3

VITALS: The Illini pulled off their second straight comeback victory in the tournament. After rallying from 10 down against Ohio State in the quarterfinals, they came back from 15 versus Nebraska in the semifinals. Guard Terrence Shannon had a career-high 40 points, which was a Big Ten tournament record. He was 11 of 22 from the field and 13 of 16 from the foul line. Marcus Domask finished with 16 points and reserve Luke Goode had 12, including two key second-half 3-pointers. Wisconsin knocked off top-seeded Purdue in the other semifinal thanks to a late basket by guard Chucky Hepburn in overtime. This is the first meeting between the teams in the title game. The tournament series is tied at 3.

PROJECTED STARTERS

FIGHTING ILLINI

G Ty Rodgers

G Terrence Shannon Jr

C Coleman Hawkins

F Marcus Domask

F Quincy Guerrier

BADGERS

F Tyler Wahl

F AJ Storr

C Steven Crowl

G Max Klesmit

G Chucky Hepburn

INJUY REPORT

FIGHTING ILLINI

Max Williams: Out - Undisclosed

BADGERS

Isaac Lindsey: Questionable - Undisclosed

QUOTABLE

Illinois forward Ty Rodgers on Terrence Shannon: "Nobody can stop him. I think he's the best player in the country by far. When he's in that mode, you can't get him out. I think in transition, he's electric. Guys don't have answers for him. He's showing why he's the best player in the country."

What They're Saying About Illinois Guard Terrence Shannon's Record-Setting Game

Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com 

What They're Saying About Illinois Guard Terrence Shannon's Record-Setting Game

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com