WNIT preview: Purdue women's basketball at Butler
The Boilermakers are making their fifth appearance in the WNIT
Eight items of interest as the Boilermakers are set to play their first game since March 7 in the second round of the WNIT at Butler:
• How did Katie Gearlds handle the extended time off with her team? Purdue didn’t know its opponent until Thursday night when the Bulldogs beat Bowling Green in the first round. For about a week, it was back to basics.
“Skill development on the offensive end, breaking down defensive stuff,” Gearlds said. “Little things that get missed when you start to really scout and prep for a team. Lots of fundamental stuff.”
“We had some fun, we competed, practice has been … there’s been a spirit about us that’s been missing, and it’s been really good.”
That’s why the practices and Monday’s game are important to the development of the players scheduled to return next season.
“We’re getting these practices in right now but they’re going to have more game reps,” Gearlds said. “I don’t care what you do, nothing is more valuable than game reps.”
• As we published Saturday, senior Madison Layden decided to opt out of the WNIT, leaving the Boilermakers without two regular starters. Caitlyn Harper suffered a torn ACL in late February and missed the Big Ten tournament. Freshman Rashunda Jones is expected to move into the lineup - it would be her first career start - but Sophie Swanson will see more minutes. For Swanson, the freshman starts Monday’s game with a streak of six consecutive 3-pointers she made in the second half against Nebraska. Swanson made seven overall.
“I think we all knew she had that kind of ability in her,” Gearlds said. “In the Nebraska game, Madison couldn’t throw it in the ocean. We were struggling to score without Caitlyn on the block and we put a bunch of actions in to get some looks and she caught fire in the fourth quarter.”
• Expect to see some rust from the Boilermakers. They haven’t played in more than two weeks and ramping back up into game shape might take a few possessions of running up and down the court. Meanwhile, Butler played last Thursday and will be ahead of Purdue from a game-ready standpoint.
“There’s going to be some rust,” Gearlds said. “As long as we’re not turning the ball over and there are not live ball turnovers. On the flip side, we have to defend the 3-point line. We’ve got to make sure they’re not getting standstill looks from the 3.”
• Freshman McKenna Layden (foot) isn’t expected to be available.
• Harper’s knee surgery was successful.
“I hope she can get in the car and drive an hour down. Her presence is everything to us,” Gearlds said.
• The Boilermakers will conduct their shootaround at Mackey Arena before boarding a bus in the afternoon for Butler.
• Senior Jeanae Terry is two rebounds shy of 1,000 in her career. She would become the first player in Big Ten men’s or women’s history to total 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 700 assists. Terry also needs 13 assists to match Lisa Jahner's single-season Purdue record of 201.
• Monday’s winner will face either Duquesne or Monmouth in the next round.
MONDAY’S GAME
Purdue (13-18) at Butler (15-16)
Time: 7 p.m.
Streaming: Butler YouTube
Radio: BOB-FM
Tickets: $8. Available online