Last season, a loss led to two.
Then, three. Four. Five.
It won’t happen like that this season, the Boilermakers say. Coming off their first of the season, albeit one in which Purdue (5-1) too No. 13 Stanford to overtime in the championship of their holiday tournament in Florida, they are seeking to get back in the win column as soon as possible.
That opportunity comes Thursday night, when Purdue hosts Boston College (5-1) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Senior captain April Wilson says the difference between this year and last is leadership.
“We lacked it last year and dwelled way too much on the previous game and we didn’t look at the games and talk about them as a team,” Wilson said. “That’s the difference this year, we’re coming together after losses – and even wins – and talking about things we did well, things we didn’t do and things we need to improve on.”
The Boilermakers have been solid early this season, maybe more so than many anticipated after a last-place finish in the Big Ten a year ago. But they’ve been able to find ways to win this season, opposite of what they did then.
Coach Sharon Versyp cites the Louisville game as an example; the Boilermakers overcame a lot to get a win over the No. 22 Cardinals.
“Foul trouble, officials trouble, technical foul trouble,” Versyp said. “Where ever you turned, and we kept our composure, kept it together and never wavered and executed. … It’s just a totally different mindset. Whenever you lose, you should be hungrier. I think winning five games and beating LSU and Louisville and playing Stanford toe-to-toe, win or lose it gives you confidence.”
The Boilermakers appear to have that. Against Stanford, Purdue had a chance to win at the end, but couldn’t pull it out. Still, getting two victories against Power 5 opponents is a three-day span was an overall positive.
“Not satisfied with runner-up in the championship, although it was a great game and we played really hard, proud of our effort, proud of our work,” center Nora Kiesler said. “But it’s awesome to see that we can compete at that level, against the No. 13 team in the country and go to overtime. We’re excited about the future and continuing to grow.”
And not wanting to look back. Versyp says this Purdue squad has a different feel.
“You can’t compare apples to oranges and that’s what we’re doing from last year to this year,” Versyp said. “It’s a totally different component, different chemistry, different feel. We’re sharing the basketball, playing team defense and executing what we want. If we execute what we want, get a shot and don’t make it, that’s a lot different than not executing anything and not be able to fight through adversity, fight back.”
Purdue’s biggest question before the season was at center, where the Boilermakers didn’t have an experienced option following the graduations of Whitney Bays and Liza Clemons.
But Kiesler’s helped fill the void.
The 6-foot-6 freshman is averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in the first six, coming off the bench while averaging 18.3 minutes. She’s giving what Purdue needs.
“Coach wants a rebounder, wants a screener, wants a facilitator,” Kiesler said. “And then I worry about scoring. We have great guards on the team, so I don’t worry about it when I kick it out. I know it’s in good hands. I know that my role on the team is to do all those things, play hard-nosed defense and take care of things in the post.”
Purdue couldn’t ask for much more. Kiesler’s helping to defend the paint, giving the Boilermakers a body to match up with other posts. Her rebounds per minute are second on the team – Dominique McBryde is averaging 4.5 boards in only 13.5 minutes – helping to keep the Boilermakers head above water on the glass. Through a half dozen games, Purdue’s at plus-4.5 rebounding.
“We need a 5 to rebound and she’s doing that,” Versyp said. “You’re seeing that her offensive rebounds are starting to go up, her defensive rebounds, each game she’s gotten better. Hitting the 15-foot jumper, finishing better. Her defense and foot speed is getting better. And, she didn’t practice all summer (with an injury), so I think she’s been catching up exponentially and I think she gives us a great punch and a lot of confidence when she comes in.”
Kiesler says she’s exceeding her own expectations. Before the season, she knew there’d be opportunities, but didn’t know exactly where she’d fit. The transition from high school to college isn’t easy, but teammates say her basketball IQ is a reason why she’s been able to figure things out.
“I definitely think every day I’m learning something new and having to put it into play,” Kiesler said. “And Coach does a great job of really teaching the game and helping me understand quickly. The other players on the team are really helpful, really supportive, it’s been really easy to transition and learn and adapt. It’s been really quick.”
Kiesler’s a smart player. She’s defended and rebounded, plus found her opportunities on offense without forcing; she’s shooting 50 percent from the field and more impressively has only four turnovers in 110 minutes.
“I love giving her the ball,” Wilson said. “She keeps it high, is a great finisher, is so positive – the most positive teammate I’ve ever played with – she brings energy and is always talking.”
Purdue will have to find and defend Kelly Hughes, a Boston College junior guard who is averaging 16.8 points per game, while shooting nearly 52 percent from three-point range.
“She can shoot as soon as she gets out of the locker room,” Versyp said. “So we’ve got to find her as soon as she gets out of the locker room. You pay a lot of attention to her and she can create for other people.”
Through six games, Wilson is playing at an All-Big Ten level.
The senior is averaging 14.8 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field – and 43 percent from three-point range – with a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. She also has 32 assists, 11 steals and is averaging 3.8 rebounds per game.
Wilson says she’s been able to step up, particularly offensively, when needed.
“We didn’t have that last year,” she said. “We didn’t have that person who was going to step in and knock down shots and get us out of our rut, and I feel like that’s what I’ve been trying to do this year.”
Then, three. Four. Five.
It won’t happen like that this season, the Boilermakers say. Coming off their first of the season, albeit one in which Purdue (5-1) too No. 13 Stanford to overtime in the championship of their holiday tournament in Florida, they are seeking to get back in the win column as soon as possible.
That opportunity comes Thursday night, when Purdue hosts Boston College (5-1) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Senior captain April Wilson says the difference between this year and last is leadership.
“We lacked it last year and dwelled way too much on the previous game and we didn’t look at the games and talk about them as a team,” Wilson said. “That’s the difference this year, we’re coming together after losses – and even wins – and talking about things we did well, things we didn’t do and things we need to improve on.”
The Boilermakers have been solid early this season, maybe more so than many anticipated after a last-place finish in the Big Ten a year ago. But they’ve been able to find ways to win this season, opposite of what they did then.
Coach Sharon Versyp cites the Louisville game as an example; the Boilermakers overcame a lot to get a win over the No. 22 Cardinals.
“Foul trouble, officials trouble, technical foul trouble,” Versyp said. “Where ever you turned, and we kept our composure, kept it together and never wavered and executed. … It’s just a totally different mindset. Whenever you lose, you should be hungrier. I think winning five games and beating LSU and Louisville and playing Stanford toe-to-toe, win or lose it gives you confidence.”
The Boilermakers appear to have that. Against Stanford, Purdue had a chance to win at the end, but couldn’t pull it out. Still, getting two victories against Power 5 opponents is a three-day span was an overall positive.
“Not satisfied with runner-up in the championship, although it was a great game and we played really hard, proud of our effort, proud of our work,” center Nora Kiesler said. “But it’s awesome to see that we can compete at that level, against the No. 13 team in the country and go to overtime. We’re excited about the future and continuing to grow.”
And not wanting to look back. Versyp says this Purdue squad has a different feel.
“You can’t compare apples to oranges and that’s what we’re doing from last year to this year,” Versyp said. “It’s a totally different component, different chemistry, different feel. We’re sharing the basketball, playing team defense and executing what we want. If we execute what we want, get a shot and don’t make it, that’s a lot different than not executing anything and not be able to fight through adversity, fight back.”
But Kiesler’s helped fill the void.
The 6-foot-6 freshman is averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in the first six, coming off the bench while averaging 18.3 minutes. She’s giving what Purdue needs.
“Coach wants a rebounder, wants a screener, wants a facilitator,” Kiesler said. “And then I worry about scoring. We have great guards on the team, so I don’t worry about it when I kick it out. I know it’s in good hands. I know that my role on the team is to do all those things, play hard-nosed defense and take care of things in the post.”
Purdue couldn’t ask for much more. Kiesler’s helping to defend the paint, giving the Boilermakers a body to match up with other posts. Her rebounds per minute are second on the team – Dominique McBryde is averaging 4.5 boards in only 13.5 minutes – helping to keep the Boilermakers head above water on the glass. Through a half dozen games, Purdue’s at plus-4.5 rebounding.
“We need a 5 to rebound and she’s doing that,” Versyp said. “You’re seeing that her offensive rebounds are starting to go up, her defensive rebounds, each game she’s gotten better. Hitting the 15-foot jumper, finishing better. Her defense and foot speed is getting better. And, she didn’t practice all summer (with an injury), so I think she’s been catching up exponentially and I think she gives us a great punch and a lot of confidence when she comes in.”
Kiesler says she’s exceeding her own expectations. Before the season, she knew there’d be opportunities, but didn’t know exactly where she’d fit. The transition from high school to college isn’t easy, but teammates say her basketball IQ is a reason why she’s been able to figure things out.
“I definitely think every day I’m learning something new and having to put it into play,” Kiesler said. “And Coach does a great job of really teaching the game and helping me understand quickly. The other players on the team are really helpful, really supportive, it’s been really easy to transition and learn and adapt. It’s been really quick.”
Kiesler’s a smart player. She’s defended and rebounded, plus found her opportunities on offense without forcing; she’s shooting 50 percent from the field and more impressively has only four turnovers in 110 minutes.
“I love giving her the ball,” Wilson said. “She keeps it high, is a great finisher, is so positive – the most positive teammate I’ve ever played with – she brings energy and is always talking.”
“She can shoot as soon as she gets out of the locker room,” Versyp said. “So we’ve got to find her as soon as she gets out of the locker room. You pay a lot of attention to her and she can create for other people.”
The senior is averaging 14.8 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field – and 43 percent from three-point range – with a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. She also has 32 assists, 11 steals and is averaging 3.8 rebounds per game.
Wilson says she’s been able to step up, particularly offensively, when needed.
“We didn’t have that last year,” she said. “We didn’t have that person who was going to step in and knock down shots and get us out of our rut, and I feel like that’s what I’ve been trying to do this year.”
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