The Miami University women's basketball team is all set to welcome Big Ten foe Purdue to Millett Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. This marks the first power-5 program to visit the hall since 2013 when Florida State was hosted. The team has been performing exceptionally well, with players like Enjulina Gonzalez and Amber Tretter making significant contributions.

Finding Her Groove: Enjulina Gonzalez's Recent Performance

Over her past two games, Enjulina Gonzalez has been on fire. She has averaged an impressive 24.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. In a loss to Western Kentucky, she scored 22 points, and in a win at Dayton, she added a career-best 27 points. Her shooting has been on point too, as she is 20-of-38 from the field and 6-of-10 from behind the arc over these two contests. This shows her growing confidence and skill on the court.Moreover, her impact goes beyond just scoring. Her presence on the court creates opportunities for her teammates and helps the team's overall performance. Her ability to score in crucial moments has been a key factor in the team's recent wins and losses.

Double Trouble: Amber Tretter's Impressive Stats

Last season, as a true freshman, Amber Tretter recorded 10 double-doubles. Her 222 rebounds were the most in a single-season by a freshman in program history. This season, despite playing only 24.0 minutes per contest, she is nearly averaging a double-double in points (12.0) and rebounds (7.7). Her 62.5% field goal percentage ranks 13th in the country. Her defensive skills are also remarkable, as she leads the team in blocks with 0.9 per game. Amber's all-round performance makes her a vital player for the team.

Series with Purdue: A Battle of the Schools

This will be the 10th meeting between Miami and Purdue, and Purdue holds a 7-2 all-time series advantage. The last time Miami faced Purdue was on Dec. 19, 2021, where they lost 82-76. The last time Purdue visited Miami was on Dec. 2, 1982, and Miami won that game 86-67. Both teams have been through different phases since then, and this upcoming match is sure to be a thrilling encounter.

Offensive Explosion: Miami's Improvements This Season

This season, Miami is averaging 71.6 points, a significant increase from last year's average of 53.9 points. The improvement can be attributed to several factors, including three-point shooting, assists, and rebounds. The team is connecting on 7.2 three-pointers per game this season, compared to 4.9 last year. They are also outrebounding their opponents by 4.1 boards per game, which is a major improvement from last year's -3.8. Additionally, Miami is averaging 15.3 assists per game, which shows their improved ball movement and teamwork.

The Magnificent Seven: New Faces and Their Impact

Coach Box added seven new faces to the 2024-25 season, and their impact was felt immediately. Six of Miami's top seven scorers are newcomers this season, and six of the top eight rebounders were on a different team a year ago. Freshman Tamar Singer, sophomore Enjulina Gonzalez, and senior Maya Chandler have been key contributors, with 62 of Miami's 107 assists this season. Their energy and skills have added a new dimension to the team.

1,000 Point Club: Maya Chandler's Career Achievements

Maya Chandler has scored 1,071 career points between three different programs. With the RedHawks, she has scored 45 points. In one season at SMU, she had 149 points, and in three years at Loyola-Chicago, she scored 877 points and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2020-21. She has played in 124 games throughout her career, making 104 starts. Her experience and scoring ability make her a valuable asset to the team.

Hanging Around: Senior Katey Richason's Growth

Senior Katey Richason, along with Clare Chambers, are the lone remaining players from before Coach Box's arrival. Richason has made the most of the change in leadership. Last season, as a native of Zionsville, Ind., she recorded career-bests in points (8.7), rebounds (5.7), and free throws made (34). Her growth and consistency over the years have been crucial for the team.

Redhawks Picked Eighth in Preseason Poll

Miami was picked eighth in the preseason coaches poll. Ball State finished atop the preseason rankings with 120 points, followed by Kent State (104), Buffalo (98), Bowling Green (96), Toledo (82), Northern Illinois (64), Ohio (64), Miami (44), Akron (43), Western Michigan (34), Eastern Michigan (23), and Central Michigan (20). This shows the team's challenge ahead but also their potential to prove the doubters wrong.