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Pre-Wisconsin notes

KODK

All-American
Nov 9, 2004
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The Boilermakers say they'll play with urgency in Hoffman Estates.

As they should; barring an unprecedented five-day run in the Big Ten Tournament, Purdue's next loss will end its season short of a postseason tourney for the first time since 1992-93.

"It gives us more of a chip on our shoulder to know that once we're done, that's the end of our season, no more tournaments or anything," junior April Wilson said. "It will give us more of an edge going into the (Big Ten) Tournament."

Purdue's only shot to keep its season alive is a remote one, winning five in five days to get the NCAA's automatic bid, and doing so from tournament's 14th seed. No team has won from the first day in the tournament's 20-year history. Plus, of course, the Boilermakers (10-19 overall, 3-15 in the Big Ten) have lost 10 consecutive and 14 of their last 15.

But they're trying to turn the page. Coach Sharon Versyp said she'd reset the season immediate after Purdue's senior day loss to Michigan State on Saturday.

And now, the Boilermakers will focus on 11th-seeded Wisconsin (9-19, 5-13), their first-round opponent at 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.

"We just need to win a game," Versyp said. "We have no (other) focus than trying to win a basketball game. It's not always about winning, if you're prepared, it's a dangerous team and if things go the right way, things are going to go the right way."

They didn't, however, against the Badgers in the teams' only previous meeting this season. Wisconsin beat Purdue 65-56 on Jan. 15 in Mackey Arena, a game in which the Boilermakers took a lead near the 30-minute mark before fading in the last quarter of the game. Afterward, Versyp lamented that the Boilermakers had seemingly given up in the final few minutes. The Badgers scored too easily in transition - repeatedly - with the Boilermakers showing little resistance.

"They were definitely a beatable team and we shot ourselves in the foot," Wilson said.

The game came in the midst of Purdue's struggles during the conference season; two games later, the Boilermakers won at then-No. 21 Minnesota in overtime. But they lost their next game, when an opportunity was blown at the end of regulation to Ohio State in Mackey Arena, before the Buckeyes win in OT. That was the start of the current 10-game streak.

Wilson says the Boilermakers both want to remember and forget the immediate past.

"Because you don't want to dwell but you also want to look back and correct your mistakes," she said. "It's in the back of our minds, but we also need to move forward."

As has been the case all season, the Boilermakers have a narrow margin for error, largely because they don't score enough to overcome mistakes. Lately, the issue's been turnovers, with a streak of five of the last six games with at least 20 turnovers.

But defensive lapses have hurt too, Versyp says.

"We can't lose assignments," Versyp said. "Against Michigan State, we let No. 1 (Tori Jankoska) get open. That's no focus, that's ridiculous. You have to know the key people and if you take them out and they beat you then they beat you. You can't let some people have wide-open looks."

But the Boilermakers feel they have a chance, at least in Game 1, then will move on.

"It's a grind because we're going to have to play five games back-to-back-to-back like that," Wilson said, "but you just have to clear your mind and go into it believing."
 
Interesting statement made by a player that we have an edge. Maybe that we have nothing to lose would seem to be better.

Heck, I think we will win the first game. Just a hunch but no bets..
 
Good prognostication, Gemstate. Didn't get to see the game, but happy for the team and coaches to pull one out. The next game against Minnesota will be very tough in that Za... B. is playing superbly, but we did win in OT in Minneapolis so who knows. Also, the team should be back to near full strength.

This post was edited on 3/5 2:19 AM by Boilermakerdad
 
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