Purdue doesn't want three to turn into four, or maybe five, or perhaps more.
The Boilermakers' current three-game losing streak is their longest in the Big Ten since 2011-12. Four straight would be the longest since 2009-10; and five hasn't happened since the 1992-93 season.
The Boilermakers spent Friday trying to right what is ailing them, holding meetings to discuss the issues. They play at Nebraska at 7 p.m. Monday.
"We're just getting back into focus," senior captain Whitney Bays said. "We got together as a team, watched the film (of the loss to Wisconsin), spent some time together as a team away from basketball, just to talk about things and that was really good for us."
The Boilermakers (9-8 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten) might be feeling a little tight, knowing that their season hinges on this stretch against ranked opponents. Two of the three loses came vs. ranked foes Maryland and Iowa, and the next two games, vs. Nebraska and Minnesota, are ranked as well, and on the road.
"I think some people feel the pressure of the games," Bays said. "Because we do great in practice and really execute in practice, but in games it's a different story at times."
Coach Sharon Versyp wants to try to lessen that pressure, saying the goal now is improvement, rather than the wins or losses. Better communication, she says, could help.
"Good communication, continue to get closer," the ninth-year coach said. "Understand vulnerabilities. I think we did that (Friday), kind of got a clean slate and got some feelings and emotions out. I think that's all good. When you bottle things up, that's not always good. All of us, not putting pressure or stress on other another, just getting out there and playing. I don't know where that came from, just the last two games, and really the last game (vs. the Badgers), but it's a young team feeling certain things and we have to grow."
• If Purdue is to get going, it needs to start to shoot better.
The Boilermakers' offense ranks last or near last in the Big Ten in most offensive categories, like scoring (12th at 66.1 points per game) and field goal percentage (14th at 38.8 percent).
"We've got to be able to shoot the basketball better," Versyp said. "If the lid comes off at the right time, then things will be good for us."
Opponents take notice of Purdue's shooting woes, packing their defensive scheme into the paint and letting the Boilermakers have open looks from the perimeter. But even with the openings, Purdue's not hitting. At least not hitting regularly enough to cause problems.
"It's just confidence, feeling comfortable," Versyp said. "Stepping in (to shots) and doing the things we need to do. Setting the tempo, I thought our transition was good, but people are going to back off and force us to shoot from the outside. Sometimes when people are guarding you, it's easier to shot, rather than when people are backed off of you when you're a little more hesitant.
"We'll continue to get more shots up. Once a couple shots fall, good things happen."
• Versyp called out the Boilermakers, saying the team lacked the "passion" and "heart" necessary to pull out a win.
After a could days to think about it, Bays reflected.
"Obviously, she wants more," Bays said. "We're trying to execute what she wants, just rallying our team to win. You do everything you can to try to."
The Boilermakers' current three-game losing streak is their longest in the Big Ten since 2011-12. Four straight would be the longest since 2009-10; and five hasn't happened since the 1992-93 season.
The Boilermakers spent Friday trying to right what is ailing them, holding meetings to discuss the issues. They play at Nebraska at 7 p.m. Monday.
"We're just getting back into focus," senior captain Whitney Bays said. "We got together as a team, watched the film (of the loss to Wisconsin), spent some time together as a team away from basketball, just to talk about things and that was really good for us."
The Boilermakers (9-8 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten) might be feeling a little tight, knowing that their season hinges on this stretch against ranked opponents. Two of the three loses came vs. ranked foes Maryland and Iowa, and the next two games, vs. Nebraska and Minnesota, are ranked as well, and on the road.
"I think some people feel the pressure of the games," Bays said. "Because we do great in practice and really execute in practice, but in games it's a different story at times."
Coach Sharon Versyp wants to try to lessen that pressure, saying the goal now is improvement, rather than the wins or losses. Better communication, she says, could help.
"Good communication, continue to get closer," the ninth-year coach said. "Understand vulnerabilities. I think we did that (Friday), kind of got a clean slate and got some feelings and emotions out. I think that's all good. When you bottle things up, that's not always good. All of us, not putting pressure or stress on other another, just getting out there and playing. I don't know where that came from, just the last two games, and really the last game (vs. the Badgers), but it's a young team feeling certain things and we have to grow."
• If Purdue is to get going, it needs to start to shoot better.
The Boilermakers' offense ranks last or near last in the Big Ten in most offensive categories, like scoring (12th at 66.1 points per game) and field goal percentage (14th at 38.8 percent).
"We've got to be able to shoot the basketball better," Versyp said. "If the lid comes off at the right time, then things will be good for us."
Opponents take notice of Purdue's shooting woes, packing their defensive scheme into the paint and letting the Boilermakers have open looks from the perimeter. But even with the openings, Purdue's not hitting. At least not hitting regularly enough to cause problems.
"It's just confidence, feeling comfortable," Versyp said. "Stepping in (to shots) and doing the things we need to do. Setting the tempo, I thought our transition was good, but people are going to back off and force us to shoot from the outside. Sometimes when people are guarding you, it's easier to shot, rather than when people are backed off of you when you're a little more hesitant.
"We'll continue to get more shots up. Once a couple shots fall, good things happen."
• Versyp called out the Boilermakers, saying the team lacked the "passion" and "heart" necessary to pull out a win.
After a could days to think about it, Bays reflected.
"Obviously, she wants more," Bays said. "We're trying to execute what she wants, just rallying our team to win. You do everything you can to try to."
