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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 28, Digital 2

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 86 Ae'Rianna Harris 32 6-1 • F • So. Breakdown: After setting the Purdue freshman record for blocks last season, with 75, Harris has an oppor- tunity to be an even bet- ter defender this year. She has better knowl- edge of adjustments and rotations, so she can defend, rather than just reject, if that makes sense. Purdue needs an interior scorer, too — it really didn't have one last season — so if Harris can become reliable from 15-feet, then it will balance Purdue's offense. Abby Abel 2 5-5 • G • Jr. Breakdown: A fan favorite now in her third season at Purdue, the walk-on understands her role. She's a solid practice player, solid citizen and a solid teammate, and she'll be able to get in toward the end of games. And very likely, the crowd will encourage her to fire away, hoping she can get in the scoring column. Likely, she'll be happy to assist in any way possible. Tiara Murphy 3 5-7 • G • So. Breakdown: Murphy was limited to only nine games last season before tearing her ACL, forcing her to the sideline. Luckily, she was just inside the cutoff to redshirt and got the year back. At the time of her injury, Murphy looked like she was settling into a role, mostly as a scorer and backup point guard. Provided she's healthy — and indications are that she is — Purdue will need more of the same. It might also look to see if Murphy can start at the point from Day 1, allowing McLaughlin to shift to a more natural scoring role, but the sophomore would have to show she can run the Boilermakers' offense. Miracle Gray 5 5-6 • G • So. Breakdown: Gray didn't play much as a freshman, getting in only for 76 minutes over 21 games. But the offseason is said to have helped her development, in that she's worked on her quickness and strength, a couple of traits that were holding her back last season. Was it enough to get her into the rotation? Well, Purdue needs help at the point, obviously, so the minutes are there. But Gray will have to show she's improved to carve out a spot. Nora Kiesler 12 6-6 • C • Jr. Breakdown: Purdue has used Kiesler when the matchups call for her, like against Big Ten opponents with a similar tall post. Then, she can defend on the interior, trying to clog up the paint to create issues for the opponent. A couple years ago, she had seven blocks at Penn State. She had 17 rejections last season, not bad for the number of minutes she played. The start of her season will come in late November, due to an injury.

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