University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Preview: Gophers at Purdue
1/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
| Minnesota at Purdue | |
| Date / Time | Thursday, Jan. 14 | 6 p.m. |
| Location | Mackey Arena - Directions |
| Live Video | BTN Plus |
| Radio | KBEM 88.5 FM | Listen Online |
| Live Stats | |
| Official Sites | Minnesota | Purdue |
| Game Notes | Minnesota | Purdue |
| Social Media | @GopherWBB | Facebook |
| Clips | Fernstrom Returns to Minnesota (GopherSports) |
| Barn Blog: Beyond the Arc (GopherSports) | |
| Outside the Paint with Joanna Hedstrom (GopherSports) | |
The Golden Gophers (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten) will look to give Purdue (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) its first conference loss this Thursday. The game at Mackey Arena will start at 6 p.m. Here are five things to watch as Minnesota tries to grab its second Big Ten road win:
1 Over their last three games, the Gophers averaged 96.7 points per game. They are averaging 86.2 points per game in Big Ten play, good for second in the conference, and 80.1 points per game over the season (13th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten). Minnesota has reached the 100-point mark twice this season and the 90-point mark five times. The Gophers have equaled last year's number of 100-point games are one 90-point game away from tying last year's tally in that category.
2 Last year's win at Purdue was Minnesota's first against the Boilermakers since 2010, and their first in West Lafayette since 2005. The Gophers beat Purdue in two of last year's three meetings (including the Big Ten Tournament). It was their first time collecting multiple victories against the Boilermakers since beating them three times 2005.
3 In the game against Michigan, Rachel Banham moved past Maggie Lucas (Penn State) into fourth place on the Big Ten's all-time career scoring list. She has 2,530 points and is 48 behind Ohio State's Katie Smith for third place. Banham is 52nd in NCAA history. Players she is approaching include Odyssey Sims (Baylor, 2,533), Tracy Lis (Providence, 2,534), Annette Smith (Texas, 2,535), Monica Wright (Virginia, 2,540) and Jasmine Newsome (UT Martin, 2,566).
4 Shayne Mullaney set a new Big Ten career high with 22 points against Michigan. Both of her career 20-point games have come during her senior year. She scored 25 points against Towson earlier this season. Mullaney has picked up her scoring average during conference play, averaging 11.8 points per game entering the matchup with Purdue. The guard is also leading the Big Ten with a 5.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in conference play.
5 Minnesota has made 143 3-pointers through 15 games. Through 15 games last year, the Gophers had made 96 of their school record-setting 214 triples. To break last year's record during the regular season, they would need to average 5.1 per game. If they were to continue their current average of 9.5 3-pointers per game, they would end the season with 276. The Big Ten record is 274, set by Iowa last year.
Scouting the Boilermakers
• Purdue is off to a 4-0 start in Big Ten play, most recently defeating Indiana 63-53. The Boilermakers (13-2) are on an eight-game winning streak overall.
• Three Boilermakers are maintaining double-digit scoring averages. April Wilson leads the way with 14.8 points per game, while Ashley Morrissette (12.1) and Bridget Perry (12.0) are close behind.
• Similar to Minnesota, Purdue relies on a team effort for rebounding. Perry leads with 6.1 caroms per game.
• The Boilermakers' scoring defense ranks second in the Big Ten, as they allow 54.7 points per game overall and 63.0 in conference play.
• On Sunday, head coach Sharon Versyp won her 207th game at Purdue, the program record.
• The Gophers went 2-1 against Purdue last season. The first meeting resulted in Minnesota's first win at Purdue in 10 years. At Williams Arena, the Gophers lost a close game after making a comeback. Minnesota later advanced in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over Purdue. Shayne Mullaney was the leading scorer of this year's Minnesota returners, reaching double figures in all three contests, and Ashley Morrissette did the same for Purdue.
Looking Ahead
• Minnesota will return to Williams Arena for a Jan. 17 game against Indiana at 2 p.m. The Gophers will stay home for a Jan. 20 game against Northwestern at 7 p.m.
• The Fast Break Club is planning a road trip to the Jan. 23 Wisconsin game, with registration due this week. Click here for more information.
