Indiana women's basketball could use a pick-me-up win after consecutive road losses to Michigan and Northwestern has the Hoosiers on the outside of the NCAA Tournament projections looking in.
Claiming the Barn Burner Trophy could do the trick.
IU returns to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for an 8 p.m. tip against Purdue in the 81st meeting between the two in-state rivals. Thursday's game will mark the 24th time the Barn Burner Trophy has been put on the line with Purdue claiming the wood plaque a season ago in West Lafayette.
“It gives you that extra it’s-an-in-state-rivalry-and-we-want-to-win,” senior center Jenn Anderson said. “Going up to Purdue last year we didn’t do our best, and now we want to bounce back. We’re glad to be back in Assembly, and we somehow always play better when we’re here. We’re ready for a big game (Thursday).”
While it's still early on in the season, the Hoosiers (12-6, 2-3) aren't shying away from the reality that they could use a win over the Boilermakers (12-7, 3-2) now more than ever. IU was a preseason pick to finish third in the Big Ten but sits 10th in the Big Ten entering tonight's action.
"There's no question it's big," IU head coach Teri Moren said.
After a slow start to the season that included losses to Maine, Southern Illinois and IUPUI, Purdue has found its stride in the Big Ten season with wins against Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Boilermaker head coach Sharon Versyp's squad has relied on a defense that's allowing just 55.7 points per game, ranking No. 22 in the country and first overall in the Big Ten.
The Boilermakers average a conference-best 10.4 steals per game through five Big Ten contests and are tied with the Hoosiers with the best turnover margin (+4.4) in the league.
Offensively, senior guard Ashley Morrissette sets the pace with 14.3 points per game. Senior forward Bridget Perry and freshman guard Dominique Oden both average 10.9 points per game to headline a rather balanced attack.
“They got off to a slow start, but they finally found their groove,” Moren said. “They aren’t deep, but the seven that they’re playing are really talented, and the thing I’ve been impressed in just watching and prepping for them is their execution.”
For Indiana to get back on track, Anderson said the Hoosiers will need to dictate things from the defensive end of the floor. If not, the Boilermakers' own standout defending could make for a long evening in Bloomington.
Indiana ranks No. 10 in the Big Ten allowing 67.7 points per game but has given up 70, 92, 62, 78 and 80 points in its five Big Ten games thus far.
"We have to get back to what we're good at, and that's defense," Anderson said. "We're going to win these games on defense, and that's what our coaches have been stressing the last three or four practices is our defense has to be much better than it has been."
Moren knows Purdue well having been a Purdue graduate and former player herself. The majority of her family is split down the center between being Hoosiers or Boilermakers, making the rivalry all the more special for her.
During the holidays, Moren said there always tends to be "spirited" conversations at her family dinner tables when it comes to talking about the colleges and their athletic programs.
"There's always banter going back and forth," she said. "It's a great rivalry on both the men's side and the women's side."
After coming back from a two-game road trip without a win, Indiana can't afford many more slips. That point has gotten across.
Moren said her team responded to the Northwestern loss with three strong practices, but that'll be tested on the floor tonight.
"They want to get back on track," Moren said. "They know what they have to do. As we told them today, you have to earn the right to win."
