WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME DAY

Purdue vs. No. 2 UConn

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Records: Purdue (5-1); UConn (4-0)

TV: FloHoops (Paid subscription)

Radio: UConn/IMG Sports Network, 97.9 ESPN

KEEP AN EYE ON

Standing tall in the paint: UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has challenged his team to be more aggressive on the boards, knowing they can ill-afford to give opponents second and third chances. To this point, the response has been mostly positive.

While 6-foot-1 senior Napheesa Collier has unsurprisingly carried the Huskies on the boards — averaging 16.7 points and 10.0 rebounds through three games — Katie Lou Samuelson and Megan Walker have also done their part. The two have grabbed 6.3 and 6.0 rebounds per game, respectively.

“Everything we do that’s really good starts on the defensive end,” Auriemma said following UConn’s 90-50 victory over Mississippi on Thursday, in which the Huskies held a 44-30 edge in rebounding. “When we’re playing well defensively, when we’re rebounding the ball well, our offense, I never worry about that.”

And with good reason. The Huskies certainly have a wealth of scorers, led by Samuelson.

With that said, the Huskies should have their hands full with Purdue’s Ae’Rianna Harris (6-1). The reigning Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year has hit double-digits in rebounds three times.

Just keep improving: Walker began her sophomore season with numerous goals, one of which was to be consistent. And so far, she’s been exactly that.

“It was definitely a point of focus from last year,” she said. “I just want to be able to be counted on by my teammates.”

Walker nearly collected her first double-double of the season against Mississippi, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds. Overall, she’s fourth on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game.

“She’s pretty proud of herself, to be honest with you,” Auriemma said. “She’s proud of herself because [there’s been] five, six, seven days in a row where she’s really been on target, on point. We need her to rebound because Pheesa can’t do it by herself. We need her defensively because Pheesa can’t guard everybody down there.”

Turn back the clock: This will be the seventh meeting all-time between UConn and Purdue (UConn leads 5-1). The teams last played at the 2012 Paradise Jam, where the Huskies beat then-No. 14 Purdue 91-57 behind 17 points from a promising freshman named Breanna Stewart.