Another transfer guard commits

[DubJellison]

🚂 COMMIT ALERT 🚂

Purdue women’s basketball lands UNC Wilmington transfer Taylor Henderson. The redshirt sophomore guard averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game over the last two seasons.

Purdue lands UNC Wilmington guard transfer Taylor Henderson

Purdue women's basketball continues revamping the roster through the transfer portal, landing Taylor Henderson.

purdue.rivals.com

 

[Boiler Up Time]

I'm wondering why there are no reactions and nobody has commented on this new addition so far. She's definitely a high volume shooter...nearly 11/game vs highest on Purdue last year of 9/game (Lombard). Her shooting efficiency in all facets would need to improve (at a higher level of play) before she would be of any assistance for us. Also, her turnover/assist ratio would need to improve as well.

 

[Gesysp]

For me, I don't see anyone as a difference maker. Will we be better? Maybe, but there's just no reason for much excitement with the players brought in through the portal. I'd give the staff a C-

 

[tomgloe]

I wanted to watch a few clips/highlights to get a sense of her game. Henderson's bread and butter seems to be as a slasher. She has the ability to make contested layups, solid frame to absorb contact and finish the play. I saw a few mid range jumpers she knocked in. She's not afraid to battle down low on the offensive end. Saw her make some cuts to the rim but she needs to cut with more purpose. 23% from 3 on 165 attempts in 2 seasons.. I wouldn't expect that to improve much, although her release doesn't look bad.

Solid rebounding numbers from the wing position 6.1 RPG. Her FG% went up by almost 12 points in her second year but she also took 6 less shots per game. I like that she cut down on her turnovers from 5.5(yikes) to 3.3 in her sophomore year. 3.3 is still way too high, I don't know if she'll get 29 mpg like last season but that TO number has to come down.

Overall, she seems like a decent depth piece if that is what she is used for.

 

[rgarlitz]

Not sure what to say about Taylor Henderson. Wait and see, I guess. I definitely like her rebounding, and she took better care of the ball as a sophomore. But as tomgloe points out, 3+ turnovers/game is still a lot.

Her overall shooting numbers are so-so and 3-pt shooting is in Yikes! territory. Hard to see those getting better in the B1G.

I'm a little concerned that 3 of the 4 transfer guards have a negative assist/turnover ratio, and none are a true point guard.

I'd still rank Taylor Feldman the best pick-up (not counting MLZ) followed by Kiki Smith---who seems to have a Fletcher Loyer-like skill set.

Nya Smith and Taylor Henderson look more like projects/depth players.

Who knows at this stage. We'll see come November.

 

[MichaelRR]

Not sure what to say about Taylor Henderson. Wait and see, I guess. I definitely like her rebounding, and she took better care of the ball as a sophomore. But as tomgloe points out, 3+ turnovers/game is still a lot.

Her overall shooting numbers are so-so and 3-pt shooting is in Yikes! territory. Hard to see those getting better in the B1G.

I'm a little concerned that 3 of the 4 transfer guards have a negative assist/turnover ratio, and none are a true point guard.

I'd still rank Taylor Feldman the best pick-up (not counting MLZ) followed by Kiki Smith---who seems to have a Fletcher Loyer-like skill set.

Nya Smith and Taylor Henderson look more like projects/depth players.

Who knows at this stage. We'll see come November.

I look at our roster so far and I see one promising looking shooting guards, 3-4 that do not impress me much, the Layden sisters at small forward, and three centers. No true point guard no power forward. To me this roster as it stands won't make the BTT and would struggle in the Horizon league.

 

[jbvazq234]

I look at our roster so far and I see one promising looking shooting guards, 3-4 that do not impress me much, the Layden sisters at small forward, and three centers. No true point guard no power forward. To me this roster as it stands won't make the BTT and would struggle in the Horizon league.

Well, they won’t have to worry about struggling in the horizon league. Now in the big ten…

 

[FortWaynePurdueBoiler]

We see this portal still every year. They go…we bring in help…the sum of all the parts & coaching doesn’t win more games than we lose.

I’d like to get excited because I love Purdue and desperately want to see Purdue WBB brought back to prominence.

But it seems we’ve heard this song over and over again.

 

[purduedavie]

Unless Purdue decides to get serious with NIL money we’ll see a poor program, it seems like no one cares anymore, all about the men (I love them) but Purdue if they took it seriously would draw fans.

 

[Boiler Up Time]

Unless Purdue decides to get serious with NIL money we’ll see a poor program, it seems like no one cares anymore, all about the men (I love them) but Purdue if they took it seriously would draw fans.

I personally don't believe NIL money would fix (substantially help) this program unless perhaps it was significantly more than most other B1G teams...you can read between the lines on that comment. I'm sure that view is not shared by many. As I understand (but I don't know for sure), women's Volleyball receives less (if any at all) than the basketball team. They seem to be doing just fine, despite the departure of some of the key players last year.

 

[MichaelRR]

I personally don't believe NIL money would fix (substantially help) this program unless perhaps it was significantly more than most other B1G teams...you can read between the lines on that comment. I'm sure that view is not shared by many. As I understand (but I don't know for sure), women's Volleyball receives less (if any at all) than the basketball team. They seem to be doing just fine, despite the departure of some of the key players last year.

You could give Gearlds Michigan's team, and she'd struggle to finish top half of the conference

 

[jbvazq234]

I personally don't believe NIL money would fix (substantially help) this program unless perhaps it was significantly more than most other B1G teams...you can read between the lines on that comment. I'm sure that view is not shared by many. As I understand (but I don't know for sure), women's Volleyball receives less (if any at all) than the basketball team. They seem to be doing just fine, despite the departure of some of the key players last year.

Not the same thing. The volleyball program has been ranked consistently for a long time. They lose players, they reload. The basketball program is trying to pull itself out of the gutter. Altogether a different situation.

 

[rgarlitz]

Not the same thing. The volleyball program has been ranked consistently for a long time. They lose players, they reload. The basketball program is trying to pull itself out of the gutter. Altogether a different situation.

It probably also depends on how much NIL money is in volleyball across the board. If nobody has a lot, then it won't matter as much.

That said, I appreciate the argument that that good coaching matters as much as NIL. Our friends in Bloomington demonstrated that spectacularly on the men's side last year.

 

[Boiler Up Time]

It probably also depends on how much NIL money is in volleyball across the board. If nobody has a lot, then it won't matter as much.

That said, I appreciate the argument that that good coaching matters as much as NIL. Our friends in Bloomington demonstrated that spectacularly on the men's side last year.

I'm quite confident that several B1G institutions are throwing a substantial amount of NIL into their VB programs.

 

[Boiler Up Time]

Not the same thing. The volleyball program has been ranked consistently for a long time. They lose players, they reload. The basketball program is trying to pull itself out of the gutter. Altogether a different situation.

Personally, I believe that coaching makes more of a difference than NIL unless the NIL is a lot higher than the competition. I'm not sure how Purdue compares on women's basketball NIL, but I would be surprised if they are at the bottom of the BIG.

 

[rgarlitz]

I'm quite confident that several B1G institutions are throwing a substantial amount of NIL into their VB programs.

I wonder if Purdue will pony up, or we'll lose one of the two nationally competitive sports Purdue has.

 

[MichaelRR]

I wonder if Purdue will pony up, or we'll lose one of the two nationally competitive sports Purdue has.

We lost being nationally relevant starting Versyps fifth year... we aren't even relevant in conference anymore. The last Purdue Women's player to leave with a Big Ten regular season championship ring was Emily Heikes from winning her freshman year in 2001.

 

[BoilerPride08]

For me, I don't see anyone as a difference maker. Will we be better? Maybe, but there's just no reason for much excitement with the players brought in through the portal. I'd give the staff a C-

What world are you living in? You see no difference maker in this group??? We literally added a double digit scorer from the SEC conference - someone shooting 40% from 3. We added someone proved to being a double digit scorer in the BIG in Madison - each of these additions have proven that they can produce against P4 competition.

I'm not saying we are going to be a ton better - but you can't objectively look at who we have picked up from the portal and not see that we have a group that can really be difference makers for us next year. They are experienced and proven.

I'm not blowing smoke - I can definitely be critical - as I clearly was this time last season when KG was picking up kids left and right with really no rhyme nor reason other than they were bodies on the bench.

This portal season has been much much MUCH better. And it should be considering the amount of playing time we have to promise kids looking to move up and play in the BIG.

On paper - these 10 kids we currently have are clearly superior to the 8 kids we had last year that could do anything for us. And Porter is still out there as an option.

 

[purduedavie]

We lost being nationally relevant starting Versyps fifth year... we aren't even relevant in conference anymore. The last Purdue Women's player to leave with a Big Ten regular season championship ring was Emily Heikes from winning her freshman year in 2001.

Talking Volleyball in this case, we’ll see what happens with Purdue, my guess in Volleyball they’re mid level right now.

 

[rgarlitz]

Talking Volleyball in this case, we’ll see what happens with Purdue, my guess in Volleyball they’re mid level right now.

Do you mean "mid level" in NIL or overall competitiveness?

Purdue volleyball has played in 18 of the last 20 NCAA Tournaments. They've won 35 NCAA Tournament matches in that span, with 12 Sweet 16s and 4 Elite Eights. It's been Purdue's most consistently successful sport over the past 2 decades. The lack of a B1G title speaks more to how tough the top of the league is than Purdue's national competitiveness.

 

[purduedavie]

Do you mean "mid level" in NIL or overall competitiveness?

Purdue volleyball has played in 18 of the last 20 NCAA Tournaments. They've won 35 NCAA Tournament matches in that span, with 12 Sweet 16s and 4 Elite Eights. It's been Purdue's most consistently successful sport over the past 2 decades. The lack of a B1G title speaks more to how tough the top of the league is than Purdue's national competitiveness.

NIL mid level, competition wise, top 10 level.

 

[purduedavie]

NIL mid level, competition wise, top 10 level. Purdue is still a destination spot for good Volleyball players, not sure they’re at the top level though, Hudson and Chicoine transferring out tells me not quite.

 

[tomgloe]

What world are you living in? You see no difference maker in this group??? We literally added a double digit scorer from the SEC conference - someone shooting 40% from 3. We added someone proved to being a double digit scorer in the BIG in Madison - each of these additions have proven that they can produce against P4 competition.

I'm not saying we are going to be a ton better - but you can't objectively look at who we have picked up from the portal and not see that we have a group that can really be difference makers for us next year. They are experienced and proven.

I'm not blowing smoke - I can definitely be critical - as I clearly was this time last season when KG was picking up kids left and right with really no rhyme nor reason other than they were bodies on the bench.

This portal season has been much much MUCH better. And it should be considering the amount of playing time we have to promise kids looking to move up and play in the BIG.

On paper - these 10 kids we currently have are clearly superior to the 8 kids we had last year that could do anything for us. And Porter is still out there as an option.

I like the pick ups this year more than last year, specifically Kiki and Feldman. And if we add Madison, idk how you can objectively say it's the same as last year.

I'm with you in that I have no idea if we'll be much better, although record wise we should be(this is assuming we have a lighter non-con schedule).

 

[BoilerPride08]

I like the pick ups this year more than last year, specifically Kiki and Feldman. And if we add Madison, idk how you can objectively say it's the same as last year.

I'm with you in that I have no idea if we'll be much better, although record wise we should be(this is assuming we have a lighter non-con schedule).

Given where we are at as a program - the additions of Kiki Smith and Feldman are about as good as you should expect. But they are good additions. Most likely Day 1 starters depending on who else we get (Ie Porter).

Are the additions of Henderson and the other Smith jaw droppingly exciting - not particularly - but with Feldman and Smith and the Layden sisters - we are looking for depth pieces at the guard/wing with these two and I think they can definitely be able to round out our bench.

The aspect I like with these two are they are fairly young - have a couple more years left - so that may help with some continuity - and they have showed the capability of producing against good P4 teams. Obviously they will get a pretty big cut in minutes - but having experienced and athletic players coming off the bench and giving us any production is going to be much better than what we had this past year.

 

[tomgloe]

Given where we are at as a program - the additions of Kiki Smith and Feldman are about as good as you should expect. But they are good additions. Most likely Day 1 starters depending on who else we get (Ie Porter).

Are the additions of Henderson and the other Smith jaw droppingly exciting - not particularly - but with Feldman and Smith and the Layden sisters - we are looking for depth pieces at the guard/wing with these two and I think they can definitely be able to round out our bench.

The aspect I like with these two are they are fairly young - have a couple more years left - so that may help with some continuity - and they have showed the capability of producing against good P4 teams. Obviously they will get a pretty big cut in minutes - but having experienced and athletic players coming off the bench and giving us any production is going to be much better than what we had this past year.

Yeah, that was nice to see they have multiple years left of eligibility. One of my fears was CKG grabbing a bunch of 5th years and having to do the same song and dance next offseason.

There's some potential there with Nya and Henderson. Almost 33% from 3 on 5 attempts per game isn't bad for a frosh(Nya). I need to dive more into her game, but she could blossom into a eventual starter.

I'm pleasantly surprised with what CKG has been able to pull out of the portal considering the season we had. We should be a better shooting team based on the new additions and subtractions.

We're at 11 roster spots now, are we expecting to go 13 or more?

 

[BoilerPride08]

Yeah, that was nice to see they have multiple years left of eligibility. One of my fears was CKG grabbing a bunch of 5th years and having to do the same song and dance next offseason.

There's some potential there with Nya and Henderson. Almost 33% from 3 on 5 attempts isn't bad for a frosh(Nya). I need to dive more into her game, but she could blossom into a eventual starter.

I'm pleasantly surprised with what CKG has been able to pull out of the portal considering the season we had. We should be a better shooting team based on the new additions and subtractions.

We're at 11 roster spots now, are we expecting to go 13 or more?

Considering we came into this portal season with ZERO momentum as a program (it may have been in the negative) - the fact that we were able to collect a group this good and accomplished is actually a major accomplishment for KG and Co.

Yes - we had a ton of minutes to offer kids, especially those looking play a lot at a power conference - but I was actually expecting lessor additions. And we are not yet done adding kids either. The roster is currently at 10 - I would say we need to get to at least 12. 1 PG (PORTER) and then a big (or 2).

You also have to remember that Kiki Smith is a "sophomore" - 3 years left. Henderson is a redshirt rising JR - 2 years left - Nya Smith also has 2 years left. Still young, but they all have a ton of experience already. Young yet experienced. Those are the kids you build a program around - but who knows - with this portal nonsense they may all be gone this time next year.

....Including our coaching staff.

 

[Gesysp]

I'm living the world where hyped players come in and fizzle out, that's the world I'm living in with Gearlds at the helm. Spider, Poole, the Reynolds, and others all came in with hype and hope - and we see where we are today. Our record probably will be better next year, but we also probably won't have the crazy tough schedule we had this year.

 

[BoilerPride08]

I'm living the world where hyped players come in and fizzle out, that's the world I'm living in with Gearlds at the helm. Spider, Poole, the Reynolds, and others all came in with hype and hope - and we see where we are today. Our record probably will be better next year, but we also probably won't have the crazy tough schedule we had this year.

This team should not have a super tough OOC schedule - they need wins if they are ever going to get some momentum going as a program - getting enough wins next year to qualify for a post season tournament will at least show potential recruits and transfers the program is going somewhere. I'm not saying go out and do a cupcake diet of ALL cupcakes - but we have to stop scheduling top 10 teams in the preseason. These 9 win years because of a crazy tough OOC and then a crazy tough BIG is not going to do anything for the program. Turning a program around is a process - it's not going to happen overnight and the portal has really thrown everything into a blender on how it always used to be done - by stacking HS recruiting classes.

Coaches really are just trying to figure it all out now adays. We are only a couple years into the instant transfer/portal process - it's going to take time for coaches to figure out how to build programs in this new era.

There's a major difference between a hyped high school recruit and an already accomplished transfer. It's all hype until you go out there and compete against players of equal and superior talents and experience.

Spider, Poole, the Reynolds were hyped coming out of high school. But its' not like they were McDonald's All Americans. They were top 100 kids. Tons of top 100 kids don't work out - and the vast majority do work out - but they take a couple years to develop.

Kiki, Nye, Taylor - have that experience - and they have proven that they can produce against good teams. So yes - this hype is much different than high school/AAU accomplishments.

 

[MichaelRR]

This team should not have a super tough OOC schedule - they need wins if they are ever going to get some momentum going as a program - getting enough wins next year to qualify for a post season tournament will at least show potential recruits and transfers the program is going somewhere. I'm not saying go out and do a cupcake diet of ALL cupcakes - but we have to stop scheduling top 10 teams in the preseason. These 9 win years because of a crazy tough OOC and then a crazy tough BIG is not going to do anything for the program. Turning a program around is a process - it's not going to happen overnight and the portal has really thrown everything into a blender on how it always used to be done - by stacking HS recruiting classes.

Coaches really are just trying to figure it all out now adays. We are only a couple years into the instant transfer/portal process - it's going to take time for coaches to figure out how to build programs in this new era.

There's a major difference between a hyped high school recruit and an already accomplished transfer. It's all hype until you go out there and compete against players of equal and superior talents and experience.

Spider, Poole, the Reynolds were hyped coming out of high school. But its' not like they were McDonald's All Americans. They were top 100 kids. Tons of top 100 kids don't work out - and the vast majority do work out - but they take a couple years to develop.

Kiki, Nye, Taylor - have that experience - and they have proven that they can produce against good teams. So yes - this hype is much different than high school/AAU accomplishments.

The new portal players may have a higher floor, but a much lower ceiling as players. They are all badly flawed in one or more aspects of their game. I very much doubt this teams making the BTT without a pf or pg on the roster.

 

[tomgloe]

Considering we came into this portal season with ZERO momentum as a program (it may have been in the negative) - the fact that we were able to collect a group this good and accomplished is actually a major accomplishment for KG and Co.

Yes - we had a ton of minutes to offer kids, especially those looking play a lot at a power conference - but I was actually expecting lessor additions. And we are not yet done adding kids either. The roster is currently at 10 - I would say we need to get to at least 12. 1 PG (PORTER) and then a big (or 2).

You also have to remember that Kiki Smith is a "sophomore" - 3 years left. Henderson is a redshirt rising JR - 2 years left - Nya Smith also has 2 years left. Still young, but they all have a ton of experience already. Young yet experienced. Those are the kids you build a program around - but who knows - with this portal nonsense they may all be gone this time next year.

....Including our coaching staff.

My fault, in my head I was still stuck on the 3 freshman class. So 10 spots filled currently. With how many players were hurt last season, we might want 13-14 players.

Yeah Kiki had a juco year which doesn't count against eligibility I believe.


Small nitpick, but I believe Nya has 3 years left. She just won SoCon freshman of the year.

 

[tomgloe]

I'm living the world where hyped players come in and fizzle out, that's the world I'm living in with Gearlds at the helm. Spider, Poole, the Reynolds, and others all came in with hype and hope - and we see where we are today. Our record probably will be better next year, but we also probably won't have the crazy tough schedule we had this year.

I thought Spider was panning out but Reynolds and Poole are probably swing and misses(trying to give some benefit of the doubt since they're still young in their college careers). If you want some reason for optimism, we brought in better shooters than the girls that left.

 

[BoilerPride08]

I thought Spider was panning out but Reynolds and Poole are probably swing and misses(trying to give some benefit of the doubt since they're still young in their college careers). If you want some reason for optimism, we brought in better shooters than the girls that left.

There is no way to accurately judge Poole - she was hurt and then played a few games and then hung it up for the year to save her redshirt. I think she has real potential to be really good for Dayton - but of course she has not proven anything. She will have 4 years remaining - I wouldn't be surprised at all to see her back in the portal in a year or two to transfer up a level.

 

[rgarlitz]

I like the pick ups this year more than last year, specifically Kiki and Feldman. And if we add Madison, idk how you can objectively say it's the same as last year.

I'm with you in that I have no idea if we'll be much better, although record wise we should be(this is assuming we have a lighter non-con schedule).

Taylor Feldman and Kiki Smith could be legit difference makers. Nya Smith and Taylor Henderson look more like a hope and a prayer at the B1G level.

I don't think this group of transfers is going to inspire a huge increase in season tickets sales, but we'll see how they do on the floor next year.

Avery Gordon looks like a very promising freshman.

 

[BoilerPride08]

Taylor Feldman and Kiki Smith could be legit difference makers. Nya Smith and Taylor Henderson look more like a hope and a prayer at the B1G level.

I don't think this group of transfers is going to inspire a huge increase in season tickets sales, but we'll see how they do on the floor next year.

Avery Gordon looks like a very promising freshman.

Hope and a prayer?? No a hope and a prayer is getting a 80-120th ranked high school recruit and hoping they can come in and immediately play against P4 competition. THAT is when you need to pray. THAT is what the coaching staff was banking on prior to last season and THAT is why we only won 9 games. Yeah Avery Gordon looks good - against high school kids 6 inches shorter than her. How is she going to fair when she goes up against a 6'5 senior grizzled veteran in the post? Again - I am hoping she is an instant producer for us because we desperately need it - but some of you think an incoming true freshman is promising while a kid who has actually produced is a hope and a prayer. That is so misguided.

Nya went for 11/3/2 in 25 minutes in a 7 pt loss to Georgia this past year.
She had 10/4/3 in a loss to 14th ranked UNC
19/5 in 28 minutes in a 4 pt loss to Wake Forest

All as a true freshman.

Evidence is staring you all in the face as to what these kids have accomplished as extremely young players. Just because they went to smaller schools doesn't mean that they won't produce at higher levels of play. They are going to smaller schools to prove their worth - that's what young players have to do now adays.

 

[MichaelRR]

My fault, in my head I was still stuck on the 3 freshman class. So 10 spots filled currently. With how many players were hurt last season, we might want 13-14 players.

Yeah Kiki had a juco year which doesn't count against eligibility I believe.


Small nitpick, but I believe Nya has 3 years left. She just won SoCon freshman of the year.

Juco counts in eligibility

 

[MichaelRR]

Hope and a prayer?? No a hope and a prayer is getting a 80-120th ranked high school recruit and hoping they can come in and immediately play against P4 competition. THAT is when you need to pray. THAT is what the coaching staff was banking on prior to last season and THAT is why we only won 9 games. Yeah Avery Gordon looks good - against high school kids 6 inches shorter than her. How is she going to fair when she goes up against a 6'5 senior grizzled veteran in the post? Again - I am hoping she is an instant producer for us because we desperately need it - but some of you think an incoming true freshman is promising while a kid who has actually produced is a hope and a prayer. That is so misguided.

Nya went for 11/3/2 in 25 minutes in a 7 pt loss to Georgia this past year.
She had 10/4/3 in a loss to 14th ranked UNC
19/5 in 28 minutes in a 4 pt loss to Wake Forest

All as a true freshman.

Evidence is staring you all in the face as to what these kids have accomplished as extremely young players. Just because they went to smaller schools doesn't mean that they won't produce at higher levels of play. They are going to smaller schools to prove their worth - that's what young players have to do now adays.

Pride wants us to follow Krueger's path at Penn State, despite seeing how bad it turns out

 

[BoilerPride08]

Juco counts in eligibility

That rule was recently changed. JUCO doesn't count towards your 4 years of D1 eligibility. I'm shocked the board expert doesn't know this.

Link

 

[MichaelRR]

That rule was recently changed. JUCO doesn't count towards your 4 years of D1 eligibility. I'm shocked the board expert doesn't know this.

Link

I stand corrected