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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 24 • 15 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com W hitney Bays is her own worst critic. She sees past the six con- secutive games of exactly 10 rebounds and the tenacity she brings, instead thinking of the occasional missed jumper or a bad foul. But others can more easily see the positive: The 12 points and 9.2 rebounds per game during the Big Ten season, for instance, which culminated in receiving the conference's Sixth Player-of-the-Year award. "There's always room for im- provement in my eyes," said Bays, a 6-foot-2 forward. "I'm happy for the award, but like I told my mom, 'I'm never satisfied.' I al- ways want to get bet- ter, so next year I hope to get a better award." Bays might get that chance, but first things first. The junior hopes she can help lead the Boilermak- ers into the NCAA Tournament's second weekend, particularly after their goal of a third consecutive Big Ten tourney title fell short. Purdue was eliminated by Iowa in the quarterfinals Friday, leaving the first-year Boil- ermaker emotional following her first opportunity in the confer- ence event. But Bays had little to be dis- appointed about in her own effort, as she scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting with 10 re- bounds vs. the Hawkeyes. That's become a familiar sta- tistic line. In some sort of statistic anomaly, Bays has recorded ex- actly 10 rebounds during the last six games, recording dou- ble-doubles in four of those outings. Bays is an exuberant, aggres- sive player, particu- lar on the glass. She's had 10 double-figure rebounding games this season, including two 15-board perfor- mances. Her 9.2 aver- age during conference play ranked fourth in the league. "She's been very productive when she's on the court," senior Courtney Moses said. "When Whitney re- bounds the ball, everybody in the gym knows that she's got the rebound because she does it with authority." Perhaps it's Bays' long wait — the energy has been bottled Tom Campbell Whitney Bays was named the Big Ten's Sixth Player-of-the-Year last week, after averaging nearly a double-double in conference play. w o m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l f e a t u r e : w h i t n e y b a y s 'never satisfied' Award-winner Bays looking for more I've got service, yes I do ... P097275.2 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL ME TODAY. And I am ready to prove it. Trent B Johnson, Agent 249 E State Street West Lafayette, IN 47906 Bus: 765-743-9595 trentismyagent.com Purdue Basketball Postseason Banquets Sponsored by 2014 Women's Basketball Postseason Banquet: Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 6:30 p.m. Trails Banquet Facility 2014 Men's Basketball Postseason Banquet: Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 6:30 p.m. Purdue Memorial Union Ticket applications available through Intercollegiate Athletics Ticket Office. Call 1-800-49-Sport or 1-765-494-3194 Presented by artistic Media Partners