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BURNING QUESTIONS Will Purdue's frontcourt hold up? The Boilermakers don't need significant scoring output from the 5 spot in particular — they have others who can provide that — but if they can get solid defense and rebounding, then that'd be a resounding success. If they don't, though, Purdue could be in trouble. Teams will be able to pound the Boilers on the interior, getting easy points by positioning inside for easy shots and putbacks. Liza Clemons hasn't played much in her career, with injuries and illness holding her back, but she seems to have a skill set that could help the Boilermakers hold their own inside. But depth will be a yearlong issue. Will turnovers continue to be an issue? If recent history is an indication, the answer is yes. Purdue has not been able to regularly keep its turnovers in check, after averaging 17.5 in its 34 games last season. KK Houser, the point guard, averages about 4.5 per outing. The more up-tempo sytle is only partly at fault. For the Boilermaker offense to take another step forward — and it was better last season, averaging nearly 68 a game — it must reduce the turnovers by a few each game, and Houser needs to cut hers in half. How good is Bays? Great question. She was great as a high school junior, becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. But that was a long, long time, and a couple knee surgeries, ago. What about now? We'll have to see, but Purdue thinks she can be a game-changer again at the power forward spot, especially if the confidence that made her one of the country's best returns. What's the ceiling? Mackey Arena is a host site for the NCAA Tournament, but the Boilermakers must make sure they qualify for the postseason by taking care of business in November through February. If they can do that, perhaps home court can help them advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009. — Kyle Charters f — with a scoring average of 11.3. "I've been working on it," Houser said of her control, "and you should see an improvement from last year. "I think I'm at the top of my game right now. I've very confident and feel good about the season." With such experience in the backcourt, PurTom Campbell due's two rookies April Wilson was solid for the Boilermakers will have to earn during her rookie season, averaging about 19 their spots. Per- minutes per game and seeming to hit big shots ry, though, might in big moments. She'll have a similar role this have a shot to be year. an instant contribShe averaged better than eight utor due to having something points and three rebounds per the Boilermakers otherwise do game last season. not: Height on the perimeter. It'll be hard to make up for. At 6-2, the lefty is a capable Bays will provide some of the scorer, hitting from the perim- scoring punch lost, assumeter or breaking down defens- ing she's finally healthy after es to get inside. Purdue's not years of battling knee injuries. had a big guard with her skill The 6-2 forward was a standset in years. out in high school before the "I'm not quite sure what knee issues started, ranking my role is going to be yet," as the No. 13 overall recruit by Perry said. "But I'm going to ESPN in her 2009 class. do whatever I can to help our The first knee injury, which team win. I'm going to do that, wiped out her senior season play really hard." at Huntington, W. Va., still afPart of that might include fected her at Maryland, costing helping out on the interior, her the first of her two seasons where the Boilermakers need for the Terrapins; the second bodies. The loss of Manuel was has kept her rehabbing as she a major setback, as Purdue will heads into her debut season miss the sophomore's size in at Purdue. She's healthy now, the post and her scoring savvy. IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 67