Kel'el Ware Feeling Good After Battling Through Win Over Iowa, Ready For Penn State

Indiana center Kel'el Ware didn't look 100 percent healthy against Iowa on Tuesday, but he still managed to lead the Hoosiers to a much-needed win. Heading into Saturday's game against Penn State, the 7-footer is ready to go.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kel'el Ware threw down one of the more thunderous dunks of the season with about seven minutes left in Tuesday's game against Iowa, but he grimaced and limped around for a moment after landing.

Down the stretch, Ware appeared to be a bit hobbled compared to his usual self. Still, he persevered and led Indiana with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. In his first game back from an ankle injury that kept him out of two games, Ware's performance was crucial as the Hoosiers defeated Iowa, 74-68.

Fortunately for Indiana, Ware avoided any serious injury during the win.

“I feel good," Ware said Friday. "Now I do, having some days off with my body. Because I missed a couple games, so I wasn’t able to do anything basketball-wise. So just from going from zero to 100 quick like that, that can play a role on your body. But I’m good now.”

Kel'el Ware just created a sick poster. 📷 @KelelWare x @IndianaMBB

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/AVtdh1e3Zr

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) January 31, 2024

Indiana missed the 7-footer as a lob threat on offense and a shot blocker on defense during losses to Wisconsin and Illinois, and it took a mental toll on Ware sitting on the sidelines.

“I just knew with me being out, my team needed me out there and I wasn’t able to provide that," Ware said. "So I knew once I got back from now on and out, I’m going to give it everything I got on the court to help us have a great season and be able to keep going.”

Ware and the Hoosiers resume play Saturday against Penn State inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Under first-year coach Mike Rhoades, the Nittany Lions are 10-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play, tied for 10th in a jumbled Big Ten.

Indiana coach Mike Woodson said Friday he doesn't know if senior point guard Xavier Johnson (elbow) or sophomore forward Malik Reneau (ankle) will be able to play Saturday.

That would take away 8.3 and 16.0 points per game, respectively, from Indiana's starting lineup and perhaps put more weight on Ware and Anthony Walker's shoulders, especially when it comes to interior scoring and defense.

“If we don’t have [Reneau], it's next man up," Ware said. "I’m pretty sure Walker can come in and give us great minutes like he’s been doing. He’s ready for that, and I’m ready to play the game like I always do.”

When Indiana was without Ware against Illinois and without Reneau for all but three minutes against Iowa, Woodson opted to play a smaller lineup. He tried three-guard lineups frequently, and even experimented with a four-guard lineup including Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, Gabe Cupps and Anthony Leal.

Iowa and Illinois are the second and third-highest scoring teams in the Big Ten, but Indiana held them to more than 12 points below their season scoring averages. With Ware's shot-blocking prowess inside and switchable pieces around him, Indiana had one of its best defensive games of the season against Iowa.

"I feel like anybody can come in and we can switch one through five if that’s what coach Woodson wants us to do," Ware said. "Everybody is versatile enough to be able to play at every position.”

Some of that adjustment was due to the fact that Illinois and Iowa play more of a small-ball style than other opponents, but it could be a useful adjustment for Woodson moving forward. Woodson said he'll still play Reneau and Ware together, if healthy, but he's also willing to mix and match based on the opponent.

Tipoff between the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions is scheduled for Noon ET.

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