Purdue Boilermakers
Overall rank: #24
Conference rank: #3 Big Ten
Purdue Team Page
It wasn’t how Purdue started that mattered most to fans last year, it was how the Boilermakers finished. After they earned the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament, Purdue cleared the board and won the tournament title, rising into the top 15 among women’s programs in the country. All that evaporated when Purdue won its first-round game in the NCAA tournament, only to be upset by South Carolina in the second round. This sets the stage for what should be a solid 2012-13 campaign, as Purdue should be among the top challengers once again.
2011-12 record: 25-9, 11-5
2011-12 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Sharon Versyp
Coach Record: 253-135 overall, 136-70 at Purdue
Strengths:
The team lost one of its two double-digit scorers to graduation but got one back thanks to the return of Drey Mingo, who sat out all of last season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Mingo’s scoring, rebounding and shooting presence, plus her veteran experience, will help guide the Boilermakers. Sam Ostarello’s deft shooting and rebounding touch provides a strong senior presence down low, plus Ostarello is a workhorse who played in all 34 games. Purdue’s newcomers from the recruiting class largely stand over six feet tall, giving the team some much-needed height.
Weaknesses:
If Mingo’s knee proves difficult to recover from then the Boilermakers might be in trouble. The loss of Brittany Rayburn to graduation, and her 14.8 points per game average, will be very hard to overcome. Behind Courtney Moses and K.K. Houser, there really isn’t a lot of scoring depth and that might prove to be bothersome. At Mackey Arena Purdue is pretty solid (13-4), but Purdue was just 7-5 on the road. There might be two losses on the schedule before Big Ten play even begins, thanks to matchups against Connecticut and Notre Dame.
Final Projection:
If all the players fire on all cylinders, this could be one of Purdue’s strongest teams in recent memory. The Big Ten is always a tough conference and Purdue has been a solid contender during Versyp’s seven years at the helm. Crowds of 7,000 and higher at Mackey Arena are not uncommon during women’s games, so Purdue certainly has an avid fan following. Look for Purdue to again contend for the Big Ten, and if it doesn’t win… well, there’s always the tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Drey Mingo, Sixth Year, Forward, 12.0 points per game in 2010-11, missed last year (torn ACL)
Courtney Moses, Junior, Guard, 10.8 points
K.K. Houser, Junior, Guard, 9.9 points and 3.7 assists
Sam Ostarello, Senior, Forward, 8.4 rebounds
Dee Dee Williams, Sophomore, Guard, started three games but appeared in all 34
Madness 2013 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#21 Drey Mingo
Madness 2012 Women's Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#79 Joslyn Massey
#110 Hayden Hamby
#117 April Wilson
#131 Taylor Manuel
