Indiana Basketball: Mike Woodson ‘hopes’ center Kel’el Ware will be back Saturday

Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware is still making his way back from an ankle injury and his status is still to be determined for Saturday’s game at No. 10 Illinois.

Ware missed Friday night’s 91-79 loss to No. 11 Wisconsin — his second missed game of the season.

“Well, he went down in practice, came down on somebody’s foot and turned his ankle, and it blew up on him,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said postgame. “So I mean, what are you going to do … I really don’t know (how long Ware will be out). I have no idea how long..”

On Monday during his radio show, Woodson provided a small update on the Indiana center.

“We’re hoping he’ll be back Saturday,” Woodson said. “I can’t promise that. He’s still not on the floor yet from the ankle injury so we’re taking it a day at a time and see where it leads us.”

Ware has been an extremely consistent player for Indiana this season, currently averaging 14.2 points, 9.4 rebound and 1.6 blocks per game.

The 7-foot center has seven double-doubles this season.

Ware has scored in double-figures in 14 of his 17 appearances this season. He is averaging 13.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in Big Ten games.

“From where he was, man, he’s come a long way,” Woodson said last week. “It’s kind of nice to see because a lot of people just didn’t expect that because he hadn’t played … I just think there’s a lot of room for growth,” Woodsons said. “He’s a young, talented 7-footer that does a lot of good things for you.”

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