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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 26, Digital 2

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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2 75 the least heralded of Purdue's rookie class, she had the biggest immediate impact, averaging 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last season. If she can make a typ- ical freshman-to-sophomore year jump, then perhaps Keys can be a bigger contributor. Wilson singled Keys out as one of the most improved players in the offsea- son. "She's aggressive," Wilson said of the 5-10 sopho- more. "She attacks the hole really hard, she's physical and she just gets after it on both ends of the court. "She did really well in Italy and had a great summer. I've seen a lot of improvement from her, and I'm excit- ed." Versyp could use Perry at the 3, where she played last season, when they want to go to a bigger lineup. And it has backcourt depth in senior captain Hayden Hamby and sophomore Justine Hall, along with rookie backup point Tiara Murphy. Perry is a good fit for Purdue as its stretch 4, because the lefty can create problems for bigger defenders on the perimeter, yet she's physical enough to battle in- side. Last season was a trying one; as soon as she start- ed to become an integral part of Purdue's lineup, Perry was sidelined by injury, missing about a month with a sprained ankle. Then, when she returned, she was bothered by a sore knee. Neither injury required sur- gery, but she needed a bit of rest to get going after the season. Now healthy, she's looking forward to a change of scenery. "There's definitely a change to playing 4, especially on the defensive end," she said. "It's a different type of physicality, different type of conditioning that I've real- ly had to learn and adapt to. I'm still learning because I've played guard forever, but also it's cool to learn about different areas of the game and expand that. There's definitely a learning curve to it, looking for different ways to score. It's been fun." Once Purdue can get McBryde healthy — the fresh- man has been slow to get going to start preseason prac- tices due mostly to a sore back — then she might be an ideal fit at the 4. She's a versatile scorer, with an ability to get up shots quickly on the inside and also a good shot from the perimeter. "(She) just loves to let the game come to her," Ver- syp said, "and to me, I think that's a gift and a talent. She doesn't panic, goes at her own speed, has four or five different moves that she utilizes. She doesn't even think about it, she just plays the game, she's great in- side and outside passer, she will be a key rebounder and she's got the athleticism." The Boilermakers' biggest question, though, is up front. Purdue will have a committee at center with Hor- rocks, Moore and Kiesler. They aren't going to replicate the offensive productivity of Bays and Clemons, but they've got to replace the other aspects: Defense and rebounding. "Our 5s have to rebound," Versyp said. "Our 5s have 2015-16 Purdue Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Time Nov. 8 MARIAN UNIVERSITY (exh.)(BTN Plus) Noon Nov. 16 JACKSONVILLE STATE (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Nov. 19 UIC (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at North Florida (ESPN3) 3 p.m. Nov. 27 LSU* 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 Louisville/Marist* 1:30/7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 TBA* TBA Dec. 3 BOSTON COLLEGE^ (BTN) 6 p.m. Dec. 6 DAYTON (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Dec. 10 INCARNATE WORD (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Dec. 13 BALL STATE (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Dec. 21 MAINE (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Michigan (BTN Plus) 1 p.m. Jan. 3 ILLINOIS (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Jan. 7 at Northwestern (BTN Plus) 8 p.m. Jan. 10 INDIANA (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Jan. 14 MINNESOTA (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Ohio State (BTN) 2/4 p.m. Jan. 20 NEBRASKA (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Jan. 24 IOWA (BTN) 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at Michigan State (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Penn State (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Feb. 2 MARYLAND (BTN) 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at Wisconsin (BTN) 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Maryland (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Feb. 14 MICHIGAN (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at Iowa (BTN Plus) 8 p.m. Feb. 20/21 at Nebraska (BTN/BTN Plus) TBA Feb. 25 RUTGERS (BTN/BTN Plus) 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 WISCONSIN (BTN/BTN Plus) 2/4 p.m. March 2-6 Big Ten Tournament% (BTN/ESPN2) TBA * Gulf Coast Showcase, Estero, Fla. ^ Big Ten/ACC Challenge, West Lafayette % Indianapolis

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