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bined, with six ranked in the top-100 prospects in the ond-worst average in the league. country in the '13 class. Wisconsin could get a boost from 6-3 forward Michala Johnson, who is eligible now after sitting out last 4. Purdue season following her transfer from Connecticut. 25-9, 10-6 6. Minnesota The Boilermakers are backcourt heavy 18-14, 7-9 with starters Courtney Moses (13.3 ppg) and KK HousDuring her first two years in Minneapolis, er (11.3 ppg, 4.5 apg) hoping to lead Purdue to its third it's been the Rachel Banham Show for the Gophers. consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. The guard has been outstanding, accumulating The duo and versatile wing Dee Dee Williams are the veterans of what is largely an otherwise inexpe- 1,243 career points in only two seasons and averaging 20.7 points last year. But the Wade Trophy nomrienced roster. Sharon Versyp must find replacements for the pro- inee, and All-Big Ten first-teamer, can't do it alone. duction of expected departures Drey Mingo and Sam Despite her heroics, Minnesota couldn't avoid missOstarello, along with unexpected one Taylor Manuel, ing the NCAA Tournament last season for the fourth who transferred in the summer. The three made up a consecutive year. Instead, in 2012-13, Pam Borton's Golden Gophers were bounced from the first round of majority of Purdue's interior presence last season. Posts Liza Clemons and Camille Redmon, bit pieces the WNIT. Senior forward Micaella Riché (13 ppg, 7.7 rpg) proa year ago, will try to fill the void at the center position. Look for Whitney Bays, a transfer from Maryland who vides good balance inside. But for the pressure to come has battled knee injuries, to play at the 4 spot and be a off Banham, fellow guard Sari Noga (7.0 ppg) needs to take another step forward offensively after hitting 54 big contributor, provided she stays healthy. While the frontcourt is thin on depth, the backcourt three-pointers a year ago. Perhaps Stabresa McDaniel, a freshman guard, can isn't. Sophomore April Wilson (5.4 ppg) will often spell Houser at the point, and freshmen Bridget Perry, a big help; She was ranked No. 56 in her recruiting class by guard at 6-2, and Ashley Morrisette could see minutes, ESPN.com. too. 7. Iowa 5. Wisconsin 21-13, 8-8 12-19, 3-13 Although it won 21 games last season, it's The Badgers feel they've got plenty to build hard to not consider Iowa's 2012-13 campaign a disapon from last season. pointment. And they're right. Wisconsin, which returns all but With seniors Morgan Johnson and Jaime Printy, two one starter, ended its year well, winning a game in the All-Big Ten performers, Lisa Bluder's Hawkeyes won Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2010. And only eight games in the league, good enough for only the Badgers can lay claim to being better than their re- seventh place in the Big Ten. cord indicated; they trailed by five points or fewer with Now, Johnson and Printy are gone, leaving guards five minutes to play in 11 of their losses. Melissa Dixon (10.1 ppg, 23.2 mpg off the bench) and Third-year coach Bobbie Kelsey's team could be on Samantha Logic (9.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg) to carry the load. But the brink. It'll be led by senior guards Taylor Wurtz they should have help. With Logic, two other starters (16.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Morgan Paige (15.9 ppg), each return: 6-4 post Bethany Doolittle (7.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 of whom were third-team All-Big Ten last season. Ju- bpg) and guard Theairra Taylor (8.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg). nior forward Jacki Gulczynski (13.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) proSeldom has Iowa committed to playing defense, and vides some balance inside. last season was no different, when the Hawkeyes alBut they'll need help this season, after the Badgers lowed 62.4 points per game, the third-worst average in averaged only 58 points per game last year, the sec- the Big Ten. 94 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 f