Conference Outlook: Purdue

The Boilermakers are the preseason conference co-favorites with Penn State to win the Big Ten. The youthfulness of Purdue's team is what has coach Kristy Curry excited. Curry, who has a 78-21 career record, said the team has to grow up and mature in a hurry before the season starts.\n"When you look at this team, night in and night out you could pick a new MVP," Curry said.\nMaking the preseason All-Conference Team was junior Shereka Wright, who Curry said is one of the hardest workers on the team and is extremely hard on her ball handling.\nBesides Wright, center Mary Jo Noon returns for her senior campaign as she shot 50 percent from the floor last season.\nThe Boilermakers do not feel any extra pressure being picked at the top of the Big Ten. Curry said the pressure comes from within and their expectations are always to win. She also said that defense wins championships and that 75 percent of the game is defense. Last season, Purdue finished first in the Big Ten with a 13-3 record. They appeared in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Old Dominion in the second round at home.