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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 67 f LINEUPS STARTERS G April Wilson: Purdue's only natural point guard on the roster, Wilson is going to see major minutes. She'll need to be efficient — and largely she's been able to keep turn- overs in check during her career — and in condition, too, because she will likely be asked to play up to 35 minutes per game. Last season, Wilson didn't have to be a go-to scor- er, as Purdue had other options in the backcourt. But with Courtney Moses and KK Houser gone, Wilson will pick up the load. She'll want to boost her outside shooting; it was only 32 percent last year. G Ashley Morrissette: Morrissette put up unbeliev- able numbers early last season, scoring 54 in limited min- utes through the first seven games, but couldn't sustain it. A couple reasons: The then-freshman's know-how for Pur- due's offensive system lacked, and she didn't play the kind of defense that was needed. But those could be alleviated now, probably not entirely. She can shoot, and score, so she's critical to the Boilermakers' backcourt success. F Torrie Thornton: A long and athletic player, Thorn- ton gives the Boilermakers a solid defender on the wing, po- tentially a rebounder there and one who can score around the basket. She was an undersized post last season. But Thornton's not a player Purdue wants to run its offense through as most of her points should come on offensive put- backs or short jumpers. As long as she sticks to that role, and doesn't try to play outside it, then she can be successful. F Whitney Bays: The 6-foot-2 forward very well could average a double-double for the season, providing she ad- justs well — she needs to stay out of foul trouble — to moving into a starting role. The league's Sixth Player-of-the- Year, Bays finished in a flourish, averaging 20.5 points and 13 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament. And her last eight games, she averaged double-double rebounding. Her health is paramount. F Liza Clemons: The senior is in a better place men- tally now, after the Fort Wayne native endured tragedy last season, when her fiancé was killed just before the season. Clemons looks healthier, having regained the weight she had lost, and that extra strength can only help her in the Big Ten. And it might help her avoid the injuries that have slowed her, but not stopped her, during her career. She could be poised for a big season. BENCH F Haley Bodnar: The freshman is out until mid-De- cember as she recovers from foot surgery, needed after she developed a stress fracture soon after arriving at Purdue in the summer. But Purdue wants her back as soon as possible, ideally the three-game tournament in Mackey Arena before Christmas, because she can help defensively. She's a long 6-foot-3 who could be a great interior defender. G Justine Hall: Purdue's in need of outside shooters, so Hall will get every opportunity to carve out a niche in the rotation. She might be able to do so. From a talent-rich school in Denver, Regis Jesuit, Hall was the leading scorer on back-to-back state title teams. Like a lot of freshman, Hall might need more physical strength, but if she can shoot, she'll play. G Hayden Hamby: The junior ended last season strong, coming off the bench to make big impacts against Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa in the final couple weeks of the season. It gives hope she can be a regular contributor now as an upperclassman. She needs her confidence level to match her shooting ability. C Bree Horrocks: Purdue's tallest player, Horrocks can help defend the paint, but she might have at least an equal impact on the offensive end. A skilled player near the basket, Horrocks can step outside to hit 15-foot jumpers, too. It might make her a nice complementary player to Purdue's primary post scorers, like Bays and Clemons, because when they are doubled, Horrocks might be open. F Andreona Keys: The small forward came to Purdue as a bit of an unknown compared to her other four fresh- men teammates. Part of that was the injury; she missed all but eight games in her junior season after tearing her ACL. But she's been healthy for more than a year, and is a prov- en scorer, averaging about 25 points per game as a senior, mainly by driving the ball hard to the hoop. Purdue needs more players who can take over in that fashion, or at least have the willingness to try. F Erica Moore: Moore's conditioning took a big hit over the years because of her lingering knee issue — she missed most of her senior season and part of her junior year — but is trying to round back into form. When she gets there, Moore can be a dominant player on the interior, be- cause she has the size and strength to knock opponents out of the way. Purdue likely will bring her along slowly, because of her injury-laced past. F Bridget Perry: At 6-2, Perry gives the Boilermakers experienced size on the wing, and most importantly a play- er who can score. Purdue has not had that type of wing in recent seasons. She was coming on at the end of last year, scoring seven or more points in four of Purdue's last five games. Perry shot 40 percent from three-point range last season but should get more opportunities now. — Kyle Charters