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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 27, Digital 2

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82 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED 82 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED Tiara Murphy 3 5-7 • G • So. Breakdown: Murphy has big shoes to fill, trying to replace a multiyear starter in Wilson as Purdue's point guard. It'll be a challenge. Don't expect them to be the same type of player. Murphy is going to look for her shot frequently, especially on the perimeter — even in limited action last season, she'd try to get on the scoreboard often — and could develop into a consistent scorer. She might already be the Boilermakers' best long- range threat. Stat Watch: Gave Purdue a significant spark in a couple games last season, like her two three-pointers in an early-season win over Louisville. Bree Horrocks 22 6-5 • C • Jr. Breakdown: Horrocks took a big step last season, improving her lateral movement enough that she wasn't as big a liability on the defensive end. And now, she needs to do so again. Purdue wants he 6-foot-5 center to be able to move with other posts, keeping between them and the basket while also pushing them out of the lane. If she does that and rebounds — she grabbed only 2.9 per game in '15-16 — then she's likely to increase her minutes from an average of 15 last season. Stat Watch: Had only 10 turnovers total last season while playing 452 minutes, not bad for a post. Bridget Perry 13 6-2 • F • Sr. Breakdown: After being forced to play mainly out of position as a junior, inside at the 4 against bigger, more physical players, Perry gets to move back to the perimeter. It'll probably maximize her abilities, because Perry is a good face-up shooter — she needs to be more willing to fire from about the 15-foot range — who can drive in the right matchups. And if she rebounds, after leading Purdue with a 5.8 average last season, then she could be a dynamic 3 player. Stat Watch: Was the Boilermakers' third- leading scorer (at 10.5 points per game) and top rebounder (5.8) last season, despite playing out of position. Dominique McBryde 20 6-2 • F • So. Breakdown: McBryde is a changed player, for the better, coaches and teammates say. Gone is the timid rookie who was happy to defer to others, replaced by a player who demands attention. Purdue needs her to continue with that edge, wanting to lead offensively and wanting the ball in critical situations. She would do it at times last season, then fade into the background. Purdue can't have that now. Stat Watch: Turned in two 20-point games, the first for a Boilermaker freshman since Courtney Moses in 2011, scoring 22 vs. Minnesota and a career-high 23 against Rutgers. Meet the Boilermakers Ashley Morrissette 1 5-9 • G • Sr. Breakdown: Purdue's leading returning scorer at 13 points per game, the Boilermakers are likely to lean on Morrissette even more this season, now that backcourt mate April Wilson is graduated. She'll need to be more efficient, after a season in which she shot less than 38 percent from the field, including 36 percent from three-point range. But Morrissette is one of the few Boilermakers who can create on her own. Stat Watch: Hit a team-high 61 three- pointers last season, making 35.9 percent of her attempts.

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