Purdue Boilermakers
Big Ten (24-8, 10-6)
Purdue is a very balanced team. They share the ball extremely well and have a number of players who are a threat to score. Rarely do the Boilermakers force shots and that has led to some great shooting numbers all over the floor. Coach Sharon Versyp’s team ranks in the top 30 in field-goal percentage, three-point field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage.
Big Wins: 1/5 at Nebraska (69-66), 1/14 Ohio State (82-75), 1/27 at Michigan State (67-62)
Bad Losses: 2/10 Michigan (56-67), 2/17 Iowa (52-72), 2/20 at Indiana (61-62)
Coach: Sharon Versyp
Why They Can Surprise:
The superb outside shooting is mostly due to the backcourt duo of Courtney Moses and KK Houser. Moses is one of the best pure shooters in the Big Ten and is always a threat to take over a game, but rarely needs to. Houser will do plenty of scoring as well and freshman April Wilson has emerged as a nice spark off of the bench. The frontcourt does not lack scoring options either. Drey Mingo is a dynamic 6-2 forward who can shoot and attack the basket. Healthy again, Mingo has been a key piece to the puzzle in 2012-2013. Sam Ostarello is the more traditional interior scorer and freshman Taylor Manuel has been a pleasant surprise in the scoring department as well. Scoring is nice, but Mingo, Ostarello and Manuel also give the Boilermakers plenty of tenacity on the glass. Ostarello in particular is a consistent double-double threat.
Why They Can Disappoint:
At times Purdue is their own worst enemy. They can be extremely difficult to defend since there are so many scoring options on the floor. Having efficient and effective shooters and scorers has given the opposition plenty to worry about this season. However, sometimes those extra passes never make it to their intended target. Purdue has a knack for committing turnovers. It has been a team effort, but the backcourt must be smart with the ball and not put the frontcourt players in a tough position. If Purdue is committing 20 turnovers in the NCAA Tournament, they will be headed home earlier than they hope.
Probable Starters:
KK Houser, Junior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.9 rpg
Courtney Moses, Junior, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 2.3 apg
Dee Dee Williams, Junior, Guard, 3.4 ppg, 2.1 apg
Drey Mingo, Senior, Forward, 12.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Sam Ostarello, Senior, Forward, 9.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Taylor Manuel, Freshman, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Chantel Poston, Senior, Guard, 2.8 ppg, 1.0 apg
April Wilson, Freshman, Guard, 5.3 ppg, 1.7 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.4 (72nd in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.9 (180, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.1 (34, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.1 (148, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.4 (118, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.7 (20, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.4 (14, 2)
Rebound Margin: 3.9 (72, 3)
Assists Per Game: 3.7 (117, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 17.9 (217, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over South Dakota State
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to South Carolina
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Connecticut
2010 NIT Round of 64 win over Eastern Michigan
2010 NIT Round of 32 loss to Illinois State
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Charlotte
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over North Carolina
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Rutgers
2009 NCAA Regional Final loss to Oklahoma
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Utah
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Tennessee
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
