Purdue women's basketball rolls past Indiana Tech: What we learned, what we don't know
The Boilermakers placed seven players in double figures during an 101-50 exhibition victory at Mackey Arena
Remember, this was an exhibition game. Not everything that happened Tuesday will translate to the regular season. The numbers look good. This was a solid first step with plenty of new faces trying to figure out roles.
WHAT WE LEARNED
• You’ll see more pace from this team. They want to run, are better equipped to play in transition, and have the personnel to do it. The Boilermakers ran one set play during their first 11 possessions. Several players can take the defensive rebound and go. Destini Lombard. Rashuna Jones. Ella Collier. Jayla Smith. Mahri Petree. Sophie Swanson. The list goes on.
• The physical presence of the freshmen post players is real. Lana McCarthy and Kendall Puryear love physical contact. They invite it. They take up space and will steal your lunch to eat in the lane. Some of that physicality will lead to unnecessary fouls and a spot on the bench. They combined for 26 points and 19 rebounds. They’re two promising players with plenty to learn, but the upside is clearly there.
• Ella Collier came from Marian University and was billed as a skilled shooter from all three levels. She’s that and a lot more. She only attempted one field goal on Tuesday night, but her overall floor game and awareness stood out. Her passes to the post were crisp and sharp. She knows what to do with the ball when she’s not shooting. Collier finished with five assists and no turnovers in 23 minutes.
• Jones quietly made 6 of 6 field goals, all inside the 3-point line, and finished with four assists and three steals. Good overall performance for the sophomore. Jones was part of the early transition onslaught. Her midrange jumper worked, and she drained a long-range 2-pointer that reaffirmed her work during the offseason.
• The Boilermakers still have work to do on the defensive end, which doesn’t come as a surprise. They allowed too many open looks from the 3-point line as the Warriors were 0 of 8 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. Katie Gearlds called a timeout early in the second quarter, shared her disappointment with the five on the floor, and returned to the bench. The Boilermakers proceeded to score 20 straight points to end the first half. Message delivered. Message received.
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• The versatility of Reagan Bass is one key to the season. She can play inside or on the perimeter. Post players will have a hard time when Bass is outside the lane. She made both 3-point attempts Tuesday and has the physical makeup to finish inside.
• Lombard’s speed and quickness will frustrate opponents. The transfer from Stephen F. Austin has leaned on her raw athletic ability to develop into a defensive force. Once she learns what Gearlds and the coaching staff need from her, she’ll up her game on the defensive end. Plus, she’s a solid shooter from the perimeter.
• Purdue has more 3-point shooting weapons. Collier. Bass. Swanson. Lombard and Jayla Smith will force opponents to guard the perimeter. It’s hard to see this team going 2 of 22 from beyond the arc this year after putting up those numbers against Florida last season.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
• Will we see more of the same when the Boilermakers start the season on Nov. 6 against Purdue Fort Wayne?
• Who’s in the starting lineup next week? Gearlds started Bass, McCarthy, Jones, Collier, and Swanson against Indiana Tech.
• What is Jayla Smith’s role this season? Smith was active Tuesday and played with a lot of confidence. She shot well - 7 of 15 from the field and 1 of 3 from the 3-point line - and hit the boards hard. She played hard defensively. Curious where she fits in with this roster.
• Who will lead the team in scoring this season?
NOTEWORTHY
Swanson suffered a leg cramp on her 3-point shot attempt in the second half in front of the Purdue bench. It didn’t look good when it happened, and immediate fears of another knee injury quickly surfaced. But Swanson was smiling, helping everyone relax. … The Boilermakers had 10 players available for Tuesday’s game. Mila Reynolds (wrist), Jordyn Poole (stress fracture), and McKenna Layden (foot) were not in uniform. Alaina Harper (personal reasons) didn’t attend. Reynolds is expected to miss most of the season.
Nov. 6: Purdue Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
Nov. 10: Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Nov. 14: IU Indy, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 18: Bellarmine, 7 p.m.
Nov. 24: UT Arlington, 1 p.m.