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Gold and Black Illustrated, May/June 2014

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74 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 5 f Of Purdue's five-player recruiting class, three — posts Bree Horrocks, Haley Bodnar and Erica Moore — stand at least 6-2. And the class is even bigger on the perimeter, with guard Justine Hall being 5-10 and wing Andreona Keys at 5-11. Purdue, due to its personnel, played small last season, with April Wilson, Moses and Houser (when she was healthy) on the floor at the same time; even Dee Dee Williams, who has now graduated, played at the 4 spot near the season's start, even though she was only 6-foot. Versyp will be able to put a much bigger lineup on the floor next season, if she so chooses, particularly with 6-2 sophomore Bridget Perry in line to likely get more minutes on the wing. "When we were able to get to the Elite Eights, we had tall people that we could play that 1-2-2 (zone) that could take up a lot of space and make it difficult for people to have to shoot over top," Versyp said, noting players like Katie Gearlds and Ki-Ki Freeman. "And I think when you play man-to-man it's very difficult as well. The size you're seeing from the teams that have gone far (recently) is unbelievable. I think that's going to help on both ends of the floor but especially defensively." But Purdue will have to score, too. It did in 2013- 14, putting together its highest scoring team, at 74.6 points per game, since 2000-01 when the Boilermakers were national runners-up. Replacing the output of Mo- ses and Houser, who combined for nearly 31 points per game, will be a challenge. The duo hit 132 of Purdue's 209 three-pointers last season, and that's with Houser missing eight of the last nine games with a knee injury. Purdue's backcourt isn't barren, however. Point guard Wilson, who stepped up her scoring punch after Houser's injury, will continue to do so, although her three-point shot, where she hit only 25 percent in Big Ten play, will need improved. Fellow junior Hayden Hamby could have a much bigger role. A prolific scorer as a high school player, Hamby's offensive game has not yet fully transitioned to Purdue, but there were signs late last season that it was coming along. She scored 23 points in the last four games, including 10 in a victory over Nebraska in the regular-season finale. She'll have a shot at Purdue's 2 spot, previously filled by Moses. "It's Hayden's if she wants it," Versyp said. But Hamby, who is out right now following ankle surgery, must develop offensively, particularly from the perimeter. She had 11 three-pointers this season, eight coming in the last eight games. "The end of the season was when I played the best, but I still don't think that was as good as I could play," Hamby said. "But I think that was a step in the right direction and I hope I can build on it for next year." Purdue has other outside scoring options, although they are unproven. Sophomore Ashley Morrissette can back up the point, perhaps, but she's also the Boiler- makers' best perimeter shooter, Versyp says. And Hall has size and speed. But whatever the combination, Purdue needs to find consistent perimeter scoring, particularly considering the NCAA's emphasis on offensive freedom. That helped the Boilermakers — and others around the country — Tom Campbell Whitney Bays will likely be a focal point for the Boilermakers next season, but right now she's rehabbing from foot surgery.

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