2025-26 WBB Season News and Notes

[BoilerPride08]

So June marks the official start of the 2025-26 season. It looks like the roster is essentially set at 13 although a few factors MAY impact that - more below.

Roster Break Down

PG

Feldman
Karsh

Off Guard

Kiki Smith
Nya Smith
Daye
Douwstra

Wing

Layden-Zay
Layden
Henderson

Post

Stahl
McCarthy
Gordon
Puryear

Few notes

Gordon grew an inch - she now stands at 6'7 which marks her as the tallest Boilermaker in program history - She is set to play in the Indiana All Star series this weekend.

International Player Note - Something of interest here - not to get political - but the current climate surrounding international students may affect 2 of our players (Douwstra and Karsh). Both will need their student VISAs and those are in limbo right now. Hopefully this will end up a non-issue - but it's something to keep an eye on this summer.

Overall feel after Portal season - we will be deeper and better this season and much more experienced - but that won't be exactly hard to do - depending on our OOC - I think we have the potential to be 5-10 games better this year. I do feel we are thin at a few areas (Point/Post) so injuries (or hopefully lack thereof) will be a huge determinant on how well we do this season. I do like the overall addition of talent/experience infused with this group.

 

[Boiler Up Time]

With regard to the number of more wins this upcoming year vs last year, I'd prefer to stick with just the 18 B1G regular season games due to difficultly in comparing the OOC schedules and potential for extra games in the BTT. Based upon what I've observed of the coaching and the current player composition, I suggest the following for this upcoming year to compared to last year's 3 wins:

• 6 more wins -- maximum expectation (ceiling)
• 5 more wins -- minimum for KG to remain as coach (or at least it should be)
• 4 or less more wins -- likely outcome

Perhaps I'll see something different in the coaching/player skills during the OOC games that will change my mind, but this is my current view.

 

[MichaelRR]

With regard to the number of more wins this upcoming year vs last year, I'd prefer to stick with just the 18 B1G regular season games due to difficultly in comparing the OOC schedules and potential for extra games in the BTT. Based upon what I've observed of the coaching and the current player composition, I suggest the following for this upcoming year to compared to last year's 3 wins:

• 6 more wins -- maximum expectation (ceiling)
• 5 more wins -- minimum for KG to remain as coach (or at least it should be)
• 4 or less more wins -- likely outcome

Perhaps I'll see something different in the coaching/player skills during the OOC games that will change my mind, but this is my current view.

Honestly, I'm not seeing more than a one or two game improvement in Big Ten play. We still run a very basic high school offense, have a rank amateur as head coach that doesn't make effective in game adjustments, and a mid level MAC roster.

To a different point: Purdue has inflated players height since Dunn's first year, it was a running joke back when this team had active fans on both boards.

 

[tomgloe]

Honestly, I'm not seeing more than a one or two game improvement in Big Ten play. We still run a very basic high school offense, have a rank amateur as head coach that doesn't make effective in game adjustments, and a mid level MAC roster.

To a different point: Purdue has inflated players height since Dunn's first year, it was a running joke back when this team had active fans on both boards.

Agree that Purdue has probably inflated height numbers in the past but the 6'7 reporting wasn't coming from Purdue, rather Gordon and her family.

It's encouraging she'll have Puryear and McCarthy to go against and vice versa for the two sophomores. Iron sharpens iron as they say..

 

[BoilerPride08]

With regard to the number of more wins this upcoming year vs last year, I'd prefer to stick with just the 18 B1G regular season games due to difficultly in comparing the OOC schedules and potential for extra games in the BTT. Based upon what I've observed of the coaching and the current player composition, I suggest the following for this upcoming year to compared to last year's 3 wins:

• 6 more wins -- maximum expectation (ceiling)
• 5 more wins -- minimum for KG to remain as coach (or at least it should be)
• 4 or less more wins -- likely outcome

Perhaps I'll see something different in the coaching/player skills during the OOC games that will change my mind, but this is my current view.

It's really hard to impossible to predict how much better they will be, record-wise, until we see a full OOC schedule.

 

[Gesysp]

Anyone see Gordon in the all-star series? Thoughts?

 

[Boiler Up Time]

It's really hard to impossible to predict how much better they will be, record-wise, until we see a full OOC schedule.

That's why I limited the comments in my post to just the 18 game B1G schedule. What are your thoughts on just these 18 games?

 

[BoilerPride08]

With the current Israel/Iran war escalating rather quickly - Karsh's availability is definitely in question.

 

[jbvazq234]

With the current Israel/Iran war escalating rather quickly - Karsh's availability is definitely in question.

The dreamer in me here hoping you’re not right…

 

[Wolegib]

As I look at this series of posts and posts from the past two years, before this site closes down, I must ask, what went wrong?

I thought we had recruited some awesome players the last 3-4 years. I saw a bunch of those awesome players all left.

I thought we hired a good coach, but many of you call her an amateur and high school me coach.

I’m not expecting an ncaa championship or to be as good as the men’s program. But I was kind of expecting a winning season And an upper tier big ten finish.

I didn’t see any major injuries. What I saw was a bunch of players who didn’t come close to their hype. I didn’t see these players meshing together as a team.

What went wrong? Is what I saw last year what I should expect to see in the next 3-5 years? I don’t really follow women’s basketball very closely. I just thought they should be as successful as the women’s volleyball and golf teams. I thought we had a good foundation and culture for a successful program.

 

[BoilerPride08]

As I look at this series of posts and posts from the past two years, before this site closes down, I must ask, what went wrong?

I thought we had recruited some awesome players the last 3-4 years. I saw a bunch of those awesome players all left.

I thought we hired a good coach, but many of you call her an amateur and high school me coach.

I’m not expecting an ncaa championship or to be as good as the men’s program. But I was kind of expecting a winning season And an upper tier big ten finish.

I didn’t see any major injuries. What I saw was a bunch of players who didn’t come close to their hype. I didn’t see these players meshing together as a team.

What went wrong? Is what I saw last year what I should expect to see in the next 3-5 years? I don’t really follow women’s basketball very closely. I just thought they should be as successful as the women’s volleyball and golf teams. I thought we had a good foundation and culture for a successful program.

We signed ok players - but they weren't elite level kids. Essentially 50-150 level talent. Very similar to kids SV was getting that led to the demise of the program.

KG decided to take the "Painter method" when it comes to obtaining talent. Meaning develop kids through the HS route for her first recruiting class. Those kids would be Juniors this year - all except for Layden are gone. Some for various PT reasons. The Reynolds sisters left to be with their dad at UTA. Mary Ashley wanted to go to Stanford. Spider and Swanson were fairly good recruits - but needed time to develop. They weren't players that - by themselves - could carry a team. They were being developed just fine - but with only 2 years remaining on their eligibility clock- wanted to win and win NOW. So they are gone to be a supporting cast at 2 much better programs with the hopes of earning a NCAA bid.

Now it's a complete rebuild and KG is doing it through the portal. The jury is obviously still out - but she needs to win and win NOW. I'm not betting on it happening - but she could surprise me.

The Big 10 is a 1000% tougher of a league than it was 2 year ago. That makes this rebuild and no re-rebuild way tougher for a rather young and amateur coach.

 

[MichaelRR]

As I look at this series of posts and posts from the past two years, before this site closes down, I must ask, what went wrong?

I thought we had recruited some awesome players the last 3-4 years. I saw a bunch of those awesome players all left.

I thought we hired a good coach, but many of you call her an amateur and high school me coach.

I’m not expecting an ncaa championship or to be as good as the men’s program. But I was kind of expecting a winning season And an upper tier big ten finish.

I didn’t see any major injuries. What I saw was a bunch of players who didn’t come close to their hype. I didn’t see these players meshing together as a team.

What went wrong? Is what I saw last year what I should expect to see in the next 3-5 years? I don’t really follow women’s basketball very closely. I just thought they should be as successful as the women’s volleyball and golf teams. I thought we had a good foundation and culture for a successful program.

Short answer. The ADs quit caring.

Versyp was here 15 years, and kept getting worse. She had a bad reputation with many AAU coaches and there were rumors swirling around of verbally harsh treatments of players. When she was finally pushed out, Bobinski hired an NAIA coach with no D1 experience. NAIA is just above high school as level of competition. Schools are 400-5000 students in size, no scholarships, no coaching staff but the head coach and student volunteers and most NAIA coaches either teach courses in addition to their coaching duties or coach several sports. Gearlds was making about 45k only coaching womens basketball. She was hired in for about 600k to replace Versyp, but since Versyp had been her go to mentor as a coach, she kept the same offense Versyp ran. Versyp picked it up at Benton Central high school. We still are running that same basic assed set play high school offense with few wrinkles from 30 years ago.

Talent has been better than expected on the recruiting front, but so far there is very little evidence this staff can develop that talent either individually or as a cohesive team. Gearlds has also seemingly played favorites, starting and giving big minutes to players that don't contribute much, while talented underclassmen sit the bench. A really good coach could finish right about 7-10th in the Big Ten with just the players Gearlds has lost in her 4 years. I expect Purdue to be fighting into the last couple of games to qualify for the Big Ten Tourney.

 

[BoilerPride08]

OK - so we have spoken ad nauseam about what has gone wrong the last couple of years - we all have our opinions and theories. This thread is meant to look forward in anticipation of the new year coming up with literally an entire different team from last year's awful season. So with that said - here's some notable observations from Summer practice/video posted by the communications department.

Layden-Zay - She almost looks like a different person than from the last year she was here. Obviously she was a great shooter for us - but physically - she seemed to be out of shape often and was laboring out on the court, almost like it was the last place she wanted to be. I know she has gone through reported mental struggles and she has taken the necessary steps to aid that which is great for her. Newly married - I'm sure she is a much better mental space than she was 2 years ago. But physically - from video's posted she seems to be in great shape and is really moving well out on the court. That's really going to help her - I'm expecting a really good final year for her. She could be a steady, 15ish ppg scorer for us - which would be huge.

McCarthy - KG has noted that the rising sophomore has worked really hard in the offseason getting in better shape physically and working on her fitness. From pics/vids - she def looks like she has improved her body. That's going to be huge for her going forward. I'm really looking forward to her taking a big sophomore jump for us.

Puryear and Layden have been slowed this offseason due to injuries/surgeries. That is not good for either's development.

PG depth is a key concern especially considering that Karsh is a toss up at this point in when/if she will be able to join us. Feldman is going to really have to be effective right off the bat for us as it's looking like she will be getting a ton of minutes at the point. God forbid she get's injured - we are once again playing with fire at what is the most important position on the court.