How about Lance?!

Lance Ware played a season-high 14 minutes in Kentucky’s win over Florida on Saturday, 14 minutes of that Lance Ware energy off the bench. Kentucky’s reserve big man grabbed seven rebounds (also a season-high), made two of his three shot attempts (tied a season-high), and even gelled with Oscar Tshiebwe for a run in the two-big lineup during the first half.

After the game, John Calipari spoke highly of Ware’s contributions, as is tradition, and how well Ware played opposite of Tshiebwe once Florida tightened Kentucky’s early lead. When asked to comment on Ware’s impact, specifically in that first half, Calipari replied, “It did change the tone. Lance was the reason we had a gap.”

Calipari also noted Ware covered for Keion Brooks, whose off-day was uncharacteristic given how well Brooks has played lately. Brooks’ rough start, plus Jacob Toppin’s unavailability, is how that Tshiebwe-Ware inside duo came about in the first place.

“He protected Keion,” said Calipari. “Keion didn’t play great today. Keion has played out of his mind. Well, he struggled. He’s not a machine, he’s not a computer. It’s not video games. Lance went in and covered for him.”

Keion seemed to appreciate it.

How about @lanceware55??

— Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) February 13, 2022

Davion Mintz too.

Lance Ware is a DOG!!!!!!!!

— Davion Mintz (@deemintz1) February 13, 2022

Sahvir Wheeler said, “Lance changed the game just with his energy, I mean, his presence, his IQ on both sides of the court, his tenacity and being able to rebound and get down there to rebound, also shots.”

Ware played so well, no one cared that he missed a free throw by about seven feet. It was both short and left, but Calipari didn’t mind because Ware was doing everything else that was asked of him.

“He shot an airball from the free throw line and you know what the fans were doing? ‘We want Lance! We want Lance!’ It just tells you if you’ll fight and compete and not be timid, just play aggressively, everybody loves it.”

How about Lance almost beating that guy’s ass?

In the first half, Florida put up a good fight. In the second, the Gators tried to start one.

Florida’s Phlandrous Fleming Jr. gave Ware a good shove to the back after a play, directly in front of Kentucky’s bench. And because Kentucky isn’t Duke, the entire bench stepped up to make sure Fleming Jr. knew all Kentucky players have each others’ backs and there could be smoke if he indeed wanted the smoke.

Orlando Antigua was quick to pull Ware away before the situation escalated any further. Ware took the high road and stood off by himself with a smile.

Calipari didn’t have much to say about the shove and team confrontation after the fact.

“I’ll watch them on tape,” Calipari said about the shove and the play that injured TyTy Washington. (The latter didn’t appear to be intentional.)

The one to Ware’s back? Very intentional.