Player Q&A: Kel’el Ware reacts to Indiana basketball’s 74-70 win against Wisconsin

Indiana basketball player Kel’el Ware spoke to reporters following Indiana’s 74-70 win against Wisconsin on Tuesday night at Assembly Hall.

They spoke about the delay, his performance, the late game defense and much more.

Below is the full video Q&As and transcript.

Q. Kel’el, I guesses pretty simply, how do you evaluate the way you played tonight and the larger picture of what this win means for you guys as a team?

KEL’EL WARE: This win means a lot. It’s not even just about me. That whole team has just been, as y’all seen, on a little downhill. I feel like tonight we finally got over the hump everybody has been talking about, so…

Q. Kel’el, in terms of the stoppage, were you aware that the fire alarm was going off? Did you hear or see any sirens on the court? That was like, the break like?

KEL’EL WARE: Actually I didn’t even know. We was walking to the bench and the ref was saying we have to go inside, and I looked over to my right and seen the little flash going off. That’s all I knew about that.

Q. Wisconsin was 0 for their last 6, on a two-minute scoring drought to end the game. What kind of spearheaded that defensive run for you guys? Was it a lineup change or anything this particular that coach said in the huddle?

KEL’EL WARE: No. Even at the beginning of the season we were put in so many situations where we had to fight for the win, and tonight we came out fought for that win, so…

Q. You didn’t play in the first matchup between? These two teams. Tonight you have a pretty big footprint on this game. When you look back at that first matchup and now tonight, what do you think that you brought to the table that was different?

KEL’EL WARE: Just my presence on the floor. You could say that. Especially with me sitting on the bench the first game, watching them. I was able to get film and see how they played in the game. I feel like even with me and the whole team, we were able to come as one and just come out with the win.

Q. 27 points; 11 rebounds; 5 blocks; impact on both ends of the floor. How do you get that going to that extent on both ends?

KEL’EL WARE: Just got to play (indiscernible). That’s really it. Just got to (indiscernible) on it.

Q. You were a big piece of this, but really efficient tonight offensively you shot over 61 percent; you made 40 something percent of your threes. What was opening up for you guys offensively maybe particularly when you were getting into your screen and roll game?

KEL’EL WARE: The coaches always say, go yeah, hit the guy, and the roll and that pocket pass is always going to be open. My job is to go up and set that screen and hit them and that is how I get my points.

Q. They did take you away for a little while in the second half. What got you back into the flow and back going? How were they are defending you differently in the second half?

KEL’EL WARE: What got me back in it was just wanting to win. I guess you could say that. I realize that even though I wasn’t scoring on offense, I still had to do stuff offer defense to make sure we got the win.

Q. Trey had 12 assists tonight, a lot of them were on your baskets. Can you talk about the chemistry with you guys the last three, four weeks?

KEL’EL WARE: Yeah, we’re always on the same team in practice, so that helps when it comes to the game, just building that chemistry and learning each other and where to pass it and how to pass it and getting the ball to the right spot.

Q. This is the first game since X has been back. Woody was talking about his impact on the court. What does he bring to this team and how nice is it to have him back?

KEL’EL WARE: It’s always great to have all our teammates back, and tonight was the first game we had everybody. I feel like X brings speed, and just being able to get the ball, especially going downhill off the pick and rolls. So that helped us a lot tonight.

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