Purdue women's basketball report for Thursday: Swanson feels "more like myself," Duquesne features balance, WNIT update
The Boilermakers host the Dukes in third-round WNIT action on Thursday at Mackey Arena
Sophie Swanson ditches her knee sleeve. Could a member of the Indiana Pacers attend Thursday’s game and who’s left in the WNIT field?
“IT FELT A LITTLE WEIRD”
During the 18 days between games, Swanson attempted to practice without wearing a sleeve on her surgically repaired knee. It was a big step for the freshman.
As the Boilermakers exited the locker room and headed for the Hinkle Fieldhouse court on Monday night, Swanson was holding the sleeve in her hand. She left on the bench just in case.
But she didn’t need it or want it during Purdue’s victory over Butler in Postseason WNIT second-round action.
“I didn’t have to wear it most of the season, but I was comfortable wearing it,”
Swanson said. “My knee has felt a lot stronger recently. It felt a little weird because I’m used to pulling it up every 30 seconds. I felt more like myself.”
The last sentence was a common theme during the interview.
When Swanson drained six straight 3-pointers – and seven overall – in the loss to Nebraska in the Big Ten tournament earlier this month, she returned to normal. When Swanson chased down an offensive rebound, scored and blocked a shot on the defensive end against the Bulldogs, that’s how she played in high school.
Just over a year ago, Swanson underwent ACL surgery, but the standout at Barrington (Ill.) High School was determined to play in her first collegiate season. She didn’t want to redshirt, even if it meant playing half the season rather than sitting out.
“It’s hard for me to just sit and watch, especially knowing it’s the game I love, and I want to play,” said Swanson, who is shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc in 25 games. “With my rehab and they told me they thought I would be able to come back for the season and I wouldn’t have to redshirt. I didn’t rush it. I thought with how frequently I was doing my rehab, it helped me get back.”
The 3-point shooting barrage against the Huskers in Minneapolis shows the type of touch Swanson has from the perimeter. It’s difficult to reach that level every game but Swanson is starting to find a consistent level, hitting one 3-pointer in 17 games and two or more eight times.
Swanson, though, said the onslaught of 3-pointers against Nebraska “felt really good.” The performance falls in line with how she’s played throughout her career.
“That’s the most I felt like myself all season, but I had a tough game against Northwestern (first round) - nothing was falling,” she said. “All the coaches and the team were behind me, encouraging me and telling me to keep shooting. I just got a hot hand.”
Whether Swanson is hitting six straight 3-pointers or chasing down offensive rebounds, the added game experience is invaluable in creating a foundation for her future.
“They’ve been very valuable knowing how much time and effort I’ve put in within the past year,” Swanson said. “It’s very nice to see the work finally paying off.”
NEW OPPONENT
Thursday is the first meeting between Purdue and Duquesne.
The Dukes’ leading scorer is Megan McConnell, whose brother, TJ, plays for the Pacers. Indiana is off Thursday before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Another brother, Matty, was a 1,000-point scorer at Robert Morris.
McConnell is the only player averaging double figures, but six other players are scoring between 6.3 and 9.5 points.
Duquesne rallied from eight points down in the last 48 seconds to force overtime against Monmouth in the second round. The Dukes finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 13-5 record.
“If you mash Wisconsin and Michigan State together, I feel like that’s where they are,” Purdue coach Katie Gearlds said. “They’ve got a post, not as dominant as Serah Williams (Wisconsin) but between their starting big and backup big, they’ve got the ability to put a game together like Serah Williams. The way they push pace is like Michigan State and halfcourt is similar to Wisconsin.”
WNIT UPDATE
The Boilermakers are among the tournament's final 16 teams, or the Super 16, as the WNIT calls it.
Thursday’s winner at Mackey Arena will face either Colgate or Vermont in the quarterfinals. Other third-round games on Purdue’s side of the bracket: Saint Louis at Purdue Fort Wayne and Illinois State at Wisconsin.
Louisiana Monroe became the first team to advance to the quarterfinals, defeating Southern Mississippi on Wednesday night. North Carolina A&T plays at Troy, South Dakota travels to Wyoming and Minnesota hosts North Dakota State.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for March 30, 31, or April 1; semifinal action is on April 2 and 3, and the championship game will be played on April 6.
Several programs have used a deep run in the WNIT as a springboard into the next season.
“There’s been some conversations among them – outside of (the coaches) – like Kansas won the WNIT last year and they’re in the (NCAA) tournament this year,” Gearlds said. “Can this be a stepping stone? We can replicate the success this tournament has had for other programs.”
THURSDAY’S GAME
WNIT
Duquesne (21-13) at Purdue (14-18)
Time: 7 p.m.
Streaming: B1G+
Radio: BOB-FM
Tickets: $13 and $11. Available at purduesports.com