(C) Kel 'el Ware - COMMITTED TO INDIANA

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich 8,672]

45 minutes ago, btownqb said:

I actually really agree with the bold. It's the comparison you have dialed up wrong.  Those two aren't alike. 

100% the training is significantly better.  That was the first thing I noticed when I started coaching. 

But you said he doesn't have the skillset Jeffries had. But he does. He just doesn't have to use it.

[Scotty R 2,127]

5 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Ware won't be in Bloomington in two years. He likely won't be next year. But I don't remember Jeffries ever being a "point forward." Just being a college center with some wing skills for the era. He still work within 15 feet a lot. He did take 2 threes a game his sophomore year though. I assume Ware will be in the 2-3 area per game this year. I don't think he will be Jeffries, but he without a doubt has the same skillset, because like I said, all 99% of elite recruits have the skillset Jeffries had. Just how basketball is nowadays. In fact, Ware probably has better handles than Jeffries had just because of the perimeter focus in today's game, he just doesn't have to use it.

Jefferies never played like a center at all. Yes he posted up some but he was more of a wing player and yes he brought the ball up a lot.

[HoosierHoopster 6,963]

4 hours ago, BtownStrength said:

Favorite moment..the 2 HUGE rebounds in the final minute of IU-Duke sweet 16 2002. Last one off the Boozer putback miss. 

I was jumping up and down like a little kid after that play -- and the Dookie whiffs

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,101]

On 10/25/2023 at 4:29 PM, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

But you said he doesn't have the skillset Jeffries had. But he does. He just doesn't have to use it.

As mentioned... JJ and KW are nothing alike on a basketball court. That was evident yesterday. 

[OGIUAndy 769]

10 minutes ago, btownqb said:

As mentioned... JJ and KW are nothing alike on a basketball court. That was evident yesterday. 

He looks skilled but very soft and physically weak. He's going to have to get a lot tougher and stronger to have above average succes in the BT. I like his shooting touch and he's very long, but he seems pretty weak at the basket. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,101]

28 minutes ago, OGIUAndy said:

He looks skilled but very soft and physically weak. He's going to have to get a lot tougher and stronger to have above average succes in the BT. I like his shooting touch and he's very long, but he seems pretty weak at the basket. 

Not quick. Not a fast twitcher. 

I can't imagine who could have ranked this kid Top 15 in his class. Woodson has a massive project in KW. 

I think there's a good chance KW is a JR on IU's roster next year. 

His height, length, shot blocking ability, and the fact he can hit an open jumper at his size make him serviceable though. 

[Stuhoo 80,572]

6 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Not quick. Not a fast twitcher. 

I can't imagine who could have ranked this kid Top 15 in his class. Woodson has a massive project in KW. 

I think there's a good chance KW is a JR on IU's roster next year. 

His height, length, shot blocking ability, and the fact he can hit an open jumper at his size make him serviceable though. 

Too many people are expecting him to "replace" Trayce.

He's not that player. That doesn't mean he can't be a valuable piece.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,101]

19 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Too many people are expecting him to "replace" Trayce.

He's not that player. That doesn't mean he can't be a valuable piece.

Oh for sure.  This is going to be a process with KW. 

But.. compare TJD as a SO vs SR. That's night and day. Hope to see that sort of improvement from KW. 

[Hardwood83 4,771]

I've only seen the exhibition and a couple of highlight vids of Ware. I know he is 3-4in taller than TJD and we've seen evidence he can hit a 3 in competition. Is he more athletic? Does he have more potential than Trayce? 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,101]

45 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I've only seen the exhibition and a couple of highlight vids of Ware. I know he is 3-4in taller than TJD and we've seen evidence he can hit a 3 in competition. Is he more athletic? Does he have more potential than Trayce? 

More potential? Yeah. Probably? Idk. With TJD development the last two years.. heck, who knows how good of a pro he could be. 

Athletically-- they're worlds apart. Now.. I do think KW is going to alter/block basically as many shots as TJD over time. 

[8bucks 6,433]

I think this highlight reel is pretty good.  It shows both the promise and the problems but in the end he ended up with 18 points vs UConn last year.  Kel'el Ware vs UConn 11.24.22 | 18 pts (6-8 FG, 2-3 3pt, 4-6 FT), 9 Reb, 1 Blk, 2 TO - YouTube

So I would not say he is a massive project but it is fair to say Woody needs to find a way to get more or the potential and less of the problems.  Good that we have a lot of depth with Sparks and Malik as needed so we can be patient  

[Ghost of Rick Majerus 817]

4 hours ago, btownqb said:

Not quick. Not a fast twitcher. 

I can't imagine who could have ranked this kid Top 15 in his class. Woodson has a massive project in KW. 

I think there's a good chance KW is a JR on IU's roster next year. 

His height, length, shot blocking ability, and the fact he can hit an open jumper at his size make him serviceable though. 

I realize it was ONE exhibition game, but I can definitely understand the questioning of his motor after watching him play yesterday. It's like he lacks an intensity/fire. I'd love to see him pull a rebound down with authority but most were him standing flat footed the ball happened to fall in his hands. 

 

[Stuhoo 80,572]

12 minutes ago, Ghost of Rick Majerus said:

I realize it was ONE exhibition game, but I can definitely understand the questioning of his motor after watching him play yesterday. It's like he lacks an intensity/fire. I'd love to see him pull a rebound down with authority but most were him standing flat footed the ball happened to fall in his hands. 

 

Ware is a glider, not a banger; that's for sure. But as you said, it was one exhibition game and Woody is most certainly going to keep pushing him hard to be the fieriest version of himself possible. 

BTW, Ware came out after halftime with far more fire. Apparently he is a really good kid who wants to please; it was good to see him respond at the start of the second half.

[Ghost of Rick Majerus 817]

46 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Ware is a glider, not a banger; that's for sure. But as you said, it was one exhibition game and Woody is most certainly going to keep pushing him hard to be the fieriest version of himself possible. 

BTW, Ware came out after halftime with far more fire. Apparently he is a really good kid who wants to please; it was good to see him respond at the start of the second half.

Yes! He 100% was different in the 2nd half. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,691]

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,101]

I do think he's gone after the year, and that'll mostly be a good thing for us..... 

However, I do think if he came back he could work himself into the Top 8-10 picks. Granted.. that is without "knowing" what else would be in next year's draft. 

[Stuhoo 80,572]

5 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

[HoosierHoopster 6,963]

1 minute ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Edey isn't an NBA player (like I said last year :) --. Bako may work himself up there, for him it's about getting comfortable with college/IU's sets and schemes.

[go iu bb 5,920]

2 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Nothing is going to change for Edey. He wouldn't have been drafted last year, he won't be drafted this year, and, if he comes back for his COVID year (I think he will), he won't be drafted after next year. He just isn't what NBA teams want to use a draft pick on.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,691]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Edey is #46 but it doesn't appear on the screen shot.  Mgbako is not on the list.

With Ware, it will be interesting to see if he rises or falls as the season goes on.