Kel’el Ware’s motor ‘night and day’ better from last year, providing consistent backbone for Indiana basketball

In a season for Indiana basketball that has been up-and-down, there have been a few consistent pieces to the puzzle and one of them is from an unexpected source — at least from an outsiders point of view.

Indiana sophomore center Kel’el Ware always had the talent but the motor and consistency were the big questions marks around his game following a disappointing freshman year at Oregon.

But, ever since his arrival in Bloomington, he’s been as consistent as they come.

“From where he was, man, he’s come a long way,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said this week. “It’s kind of nice to see because a lot of people just didn’t expect that because he hadn’t played.”

The former McDonald’s All-American came to Indiana looking to be pushed by Mike Woodson and follow in the footsteps of All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis.

While nobody was expecting Ware to replace the production all by himself, his ability to be a consistent post player has been extraordinary. Though 16 games, Ware is averaging 14.8 points (second-best on IU), 9.6 rebounds (team-high), 1.8 assists, 1.6 blocks (team-high) and is shooting 55.3 percent overall and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from three.

The biggest improvement has been his consistency, especially with his toughness and motor. After eight games scoring in double-figures last year, he’s done so in 14 of 16 games this season. After zero double-digit rebounding efforts as a freshman, he has seven this season — all double-doubles as well.

Four of his seven double-digit rebounding games have resulted in 14+ boards. That effort has received praise by Mike Woodson.

“Well, it’s the second effort. When we first got him, that didn’t even exist in terms of him making second and third efforts to try to go get the basketball. A lot of it was he just hadn’t been taught and pushed to do it,” Woodson said. “I mean, it’s like night and day from the time we got him to where he is today in terms of going hard and understanding that you just can’t take possessions off.”

What’s been the biggest reason for his improvement? The trust. Both from Woodson to Ware and Ware with Woodson.

“I would say I’m more in a groove now with Coach Woodson giving me that role where he trusts me enough to just go make the play and attack the basket, score, even throw it out to my teammates and just play smart on the court,” Ware said earlier this season. “As long as I’m playing hard and just giving them that, then we should be good.”

Ware is currently averaging a double-double in Big Ten games. In six league contests, he’s averaging 14.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He’s shooting 58.5 percent from the field and is 4-of-7 on 3s.

He has four double-doubles in six Big Ten games.

It was highlighted by his recent play against Minnesota — a must-win game for Indiana. He came out with high energy, poise and toughness, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the first half. He finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.

That energy helps lead Indiana basketball to its best all-around performance of the season.

“I mean, well, you seen the intensity in the game,” Ware said. “From this game and the Rutgers game. I feel like if we bring out the intensity we had at the start of this game and even throughout the game to every game, I feel like we’ll be good.”

At 7-foot, Ware has showcased his ability to play on the perimeter, score in the paint, rebound the ball and provide consistent rim protection on defense. He’s done it all in one way or another.

But there’s still room to grow and more that he can provide.

“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.”

Indiana basketball will need him to provide more on Tuesday as the Hoosiers welcome in Purdue to Assembly Hall — and National Player of the Year Zach Edey. It will be Ware’s toughest matchup to date.

But, if the promise that both Ware and Woodson made to each other at the time of his commitment to Indiana stands, they’ll both be in good hands on Tuesday and moving forward.

“The word is out; they knocked you and said, ‘hey, you’re lazy, you don’t work hard’, and if you make a commitment to me, that’s got to change.” Woodson said at Indiana basketball media day this fall. ” … He made the commitment to me (to play hard), and I’m going to push him to play at a higher level to help us win basketball games.”

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