The 6'4" forward from St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in West Lafayette after spending time in Toronto and Charlotte, N.C. She currently sports season averages of 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game prior to the 2005 Big Ten tournament. She's also swatted 11 shots and picked off 11 steals in her 25 games as a Boilermaker. Learn more about Natasha at her official bio page on the Purdue Web site:

Natasha Bogdanova Profile

OGFP: What is the earliest memory you have of yourself with a basketball?

Bogdanova: The earliest memory is me with two ponytails running around with the ball at practice, not knowing where I was going or what I was supposed to do. I started relatively late and remember not being very good and crying after every practice, thinking that I let my team down.

OGFP: What were the names and nicknames of all your basketball teams, from the earliest levels of competition through high school (including AAU and junior college)?

Bogdanova: All the nicknames are mostly Russian, so you don’t want to know them. After winning the Jr. European Cup in Hungary by an average of 30 points, everybody was calling us the DREAM TEAM.

OGFP: How did you prepare for the 2004-2005 basketball season, when school wasn't in session?

Bogdanova: During the summer we did a lot of running, conditioning and weights with our strength coach.

OGFP: Which college basketball rule would you erase from the books?

Bogdanova: Traveling, so I could get away with all my awesome European post moves.

OGFP: Aside from the competition, what is the best thing about being an NCAA Divison I athlete?

Bogdanova: Having people admire you.

OGFP: How would you describe Purdue women's basketball in a single sentence?

Bogdanova: Excellence and tradition.

OGFP: True or False: Defense is more enjoyable than offense.

Bogdanova: False.

OGFP: What was your first impression of Coach Curry upon meeting her?

Bogdanova: I could not believe that a Division I big-time coach could ever be so sweet and caring.

OGFP: What has been the biggest challenge in adjusting to college life?

Bogdanova: Time management, balancing schoolwork, practices and away games.

OGFP: Which basketball players did you (do you) most admire?

Bogdanova: Many.

OGFP: What adjectives do you most associate with Purdue's basketball program?

Bogdanova: Excellent, tradition-rich, fun.

OGFP: True or False: Homesickness can affect a player's basketball game.

Bogdanova: True.

The 5'8" guard from Marlboro, New Jersey, has started 10 games this year and currently averages 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds per game through her 25 games played. Brina shoots 45% from the floor and 71.4% from the free throw line, and has dished out 46 assists prior to Big Ten tournament play. Learn more about Brina at her official bio page at the Purdue Web site:

Brina Pollack Profile

OGFP: What is the earliest memory you have of yourself with a basketball?

Pollack: About four or five years old when I participated in a kindergarten boys’ league. I was still in preschool.

OGFP: What were the names and nicknames of all your basketball teams, from the earliest levels of competition through high school (including AAU and junior college)?

Pollack: Kindergarten-JCC league, Travel-Marlboro from 3rd grade to 8th grade, HS-Marlboro Mustangs, AAU-from 10U to 17U- Central Jersey Hawks

OGFP: How did you prepare for the 2004-2005 basketball season, when school wasn't in session?

Pollack: I was here in West Lafayette the day after high school graduation, working out with the team and the strength and conditioning coach.

OGFP: Which college basketball rule would you erase from the books?

Pollack: None, I think the game is fine as it is.

OGFP:Aside from the competition, what is the best thing about being an NCAA Divison I athlete?

Pollack: Definitely the traveling, and being able to see and meet people you never would have been able to without being an athlete at this level.

OGFP: How would you describe Purdue women's basketball in a single sentence?

Pollack: A powerhouse basketball program that is rich in basketball history and has a great sense of unity.

OGFP: True or False: Defense is more enjoyable than offense.

Pollack: False, but it’s a part of the game you’ve got to play to win.

OGFP: What was your first impression of Coach Curry, upon meeting her?

Pollack: My first impression of Coach Curry was a sweet, loving and caring woman who wanted to compete for a Big Ten and national championship year in and year out.

OGFP: What has been the biggest challenge in adjusting to college life?

Pollack: I'd have to say time management. It’s hard to balance academics and athletics, have a social life, and get enough sleep. However, if one tries hard enough, it is definitely able to be accomplished.

OGFP: Which basketball players did you (do you) most admire?

Pollack: In women’s basketball, definitely Sue Bird because I can relate to her. We both come from the Northeast and we have similar games, although she is a lot better! She is the player I would want my game to be most like.

OGFP: What adjectives do you most associate with Purdue's basketball program?

Pollack: Hard-working, competitive, caring, talented, awesome.

OGFP: True or False: Homesickness can affect a player's basketball game.

Pollack: True. It affected mine in the beginning of the year because I just wanted to go home, and basketball wasn't really on my mind all that much. It just takes some time to get used to.

A 6'1" guard/forward from Beech Grove, Indiana, Katie leads the team in assists (84) ranks second on the team in scoring (13.8 points per game) and blocks (29), is tied for second in steals (42) and is fourth in rebounds (3.8 per game). She is also shooting 87.5% from the free throw line, which would set the school's single-season mark. Learn more about Katie at her official bio page on the Purdue Web site:

Katie Gearlds Profile

OGFP: What is the earliest memory you have of yourself with a basketball?

Gearlds: Watching Pete Maravich tapes and trying to dribble the basketball like him when I was two years old.

OGFP: What were the names and nicknames of all your basketball teams, from the earliest levels of competition through high school (including AAU and junior college)?

Gearlds: Indiana's Finest Black Cats is the only AAU team I played for. Beech Grove High School Hornets.

OGFP: How did you prepare for the 2004-2005 basketball season, when school wasn't in session?

Gearlds: I was here all summer running, lifting weights, and just trying to become an all-around better basketball player.

OGFP: Which college basketball rule would you erase from the books?

Gearlds: The alternate possession. I wish we could jump it up every time.

OGFP: Aside from the competition, what is the best thing about being an NCAA Division I athlete?

Gearlds: Getting an education.

OGFP: How would you describe Purdue women's basketball in a single sentence?

Gearlds: The tradition lives on.

OGFP: True or False: Defense is more enjoyable than offense.

Gearlds: FALSE!

OGFP: What is the biggest difference in being a sophomore and a junior?

Gearlds: Nothing really, besides the fact that we can't use the “I'm a freshman” excuse anymore.

OGFP: What skills have been the most challenging to master in the college game?

Gearlds: Attacking the basket and defense.

OGFP: True or False: You can beat the other Purdue sophomore in a game of H-O-R-S-E.

Gearlds: False. Erin's better than I am!

Erin is a 6'2" forward from Berwyn, Illinois, and leads the squad in scoring (14.2 points per game) and ranks second in rebounds at 5.4 points per game. She also ranks second in field goal percentage (47.0) and free throw percentage (80.6). Showing her offensive versatility, Erin also leads the Boilermakers in 3-point percentage (36.8). Learn more about Erin at her official bio page at the Purdue Web site:

Erin Lawless Profile

OGFP: What is the earliest memory you have of yourself with a basketball?

Lawless: About 6th grade when I was playing basketball with my older brother in the alley.

OGFP: What were the names and nicknames of all your basketball teams, from the earliest levels of competition through high school (including AAU and junior college)?

Lawless: I can't remember them all but I will try. Lincoln Wildcats (7th), Morton Lady Mustangs (7th), Dream Team (7th, 8th), W.I.N. AAU (Women In Nets) (8th), Wolfpack AAU, Illinois Hustle, Jaguars, Chicago Power, Taz Basketball Team, Hoops Express, Fenwick Friars.

OGFP: How did you prepare for the 2004-2005 basketball season, when school wasn't in session?

Lawless: There was a lot of conditioning and running and plyometrics to work on agility from side to side. When we weren't doing any of that, there was pick-up. Some days I would just shoot around or go find a game of pick-up with some guys.

OGFP: Aside from the competition, what is the best thing about being an NCAA Divison I athlete?

Lawless: Having school paid for and enjoying the opportunity to travel around and meet new people and see new places. I love traveling.

OGFP: How would you describe Purdue women's basketball in a single sentence?

Lawless: Purdue women’s basketball carries a tradition of excellence both on the court and off!

OGFP: True or False: Defense is more enjoyable than offense.

Lawless: Depends on the game. It can be more fun if you can get in and get more rebounds and block some shots, but it can be a burden if you have to guard someone MUCH taller and stronger!

OGFP: What is the biggest difference in being a sophomore and a junior?

Lawless: Well, the biggest difference is leadership and experience. That can always help in the big games.

OGFP: What skills have been the most challenging to master in the college game?

Lawless: The hook shot is still a killer for me. I’m trying to get that down. But other then that, post defense is more difficult than one may think.

OGFP: True or False: You can beat the other Purdue sophomore in a game of H-O-R-S-E.

Lawless: FALSE! Katie is a way better shooter then me. She will get me in that game!

Thank you to Kathleen Offer for making these Q&As possible.