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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 25, Digital 2

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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 71 f Ten teams. But Versyp says the Boilermakers will front more on the interior this season, using their size to get in the way of entry passes to the post. And it could use of a 1-2-2 zone defense, mixing in with man, to muddy up the paint. "We'll be more defensively focused," Bays said. "I think sometimes last year, we had so many offensive threats during the season, especially when KK was in, that sometimes we really didn't have to play defense like that. So defense will be the emphasis." But most of Purdue's questions come on the perim- eter, and for the obvious reasons; In Moses and Hous- er, the Boilermakers had two of the best guards in the Big Ten — Moses was a first-teamer; Houser a second — who combined to average better than 30 points per game. And they combined for 132 three-pointers last season. The production needs to be replaced. Wilson, who started at the point last season then took on the duties full-time after Houser's injury, will lead on the outside after averaging 10 points and 4.7 assists per game last season. But Wilson will need to be even better, because she's the only proven veteran. "I don't think I prepare any differently, but maybe this year I start taking more shots," said Wilson, who will likely have to play a ton of minutes, given Purdue's lack of an experienced backup point. "Last year, I al- ways passed, it's what I do — I love assisting — but I need to be more of that threat to score, especially get to the bucket when we haven't scored in a couple posses- sions." But Wilson, who is suspended for the exhibition game and the season opener due to an offseason inci- dent, will need help, too. And there are a couple likely candidates in sophomore Ashley Morrissette and junior Hayden Hamby. As a true freshman, Morrissette showed off the abil- ity to score early in the season before fading late. In Purdue's first seven games, the 5-9 guard averaged 6.3 points in only 9.6 minutes, but the playing time and scoring prowess leveled off quickly afterward. She didn't score in 14 games the rest of the season and didn't play at all in four others. The slightly built Morrissette struggled to adjust to the rigors of Big Ten play, and to learn both the point and off-guards, but feels better about her chance now. "I worked on everything," she said of her offseason. "Cardio, weights, shooting, I've even worked on de- fense, to be honest. … You have to do it if you want to win." Versyp says she's seen Morrissette take steps forward since the end of last year. "She is solid," Versyp said. "It's hard as a freshman coming in and learning (two positions) — part of that was on me — but now she knows it. But her growth (is tremendous), and she is so smooth with the ball, she doesn't need a screen, those are when players shine." But Purdue has other options at the 2, as well. Hamby Tom Campbell At 5-10, Justine Hall is a bigger guard, something Purdue has lacked in recent years. Tom Campbell Andreona Keys is a physical player on the perimeter, with a lot of upside.

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