While still pushing for the few 2007s still on the staff's wish list, the staff is spending a majority of their time focusing on 2008s and 2009s. Versyp missed Monday's practice because she was out recruiting. Assistant Jodi Benner popped up at the Battle of the Programs during the very short two-day evaluation period September 30th and October 1st, and could be seen spending time scouting Chicago area 2009s. Fellow assistant Martin Clapp during the same period was in Ohio scouting a very highly regarded group of younger players.

Watson breaks school scoring record

A player said to be on Purdue's 2008 scouting board broke her school's career scoring record this past week. Kellie Watson of Ionia (MI) surpassed the school record of 1,160 set by Cathy Christiansen which had been in place since 1990. Said to be receiving 10 recruiting letters per day from a variety of schools from the Big Ten, ACC, and Big East conferences, Watson was quoted in the Grand Rapids Press on Tuesday stating she has her eye on Duke but is still a long way from making a decision.

"I would seriously like Duke," she told the Grand Rapids Press. "I played in the Deep South Tournament on the Duke campus and it's beautiful and warm."

Top Chicago players narrow focus

A few top 2007 players from the Chicago area are closing in on a decision. Latear Eason, a 5'6 guard from Hope High, is down to LSU, Depaul and Michigan State. Michigan State has been rumored to be the favorite, but the race is said to be close between her three choices. Trinity forward Lykendra Johnson's list includes Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana. And Purdue has been added to the list of 5'10 Bolingbrook guard Brittney Thomas, who is also considering DePaul, Michigan State, Michigan and Florida State.

In the Class of 2009, Kelcey Traynoff, a 5'8 guard from Carmel (IL), has an early list of Big Ten programs Illinois, Michigan, and Northwestern, along with UCLA, Washington and Marquette. And Hoffman Estate's Megan Fischer is looking at Connecticut, Depaul, Illinois, Miami, Tennessee and UCLA.

Big Ten Recruiting

Junior forward Ashley Thomas of Loyola Academy (IL) gave Wisconsin a verbal last weekend. Thomas had ACL surgery in May of this year and is progressing enough to be cleared to play within two weeks. Thomas is a hair under 6'3, and is an athletic forward seen on unofficials at Purdue this past winter.

Penn State continues to load up on size, this time getting a commitment from 6'2 senior Julia Trogele from Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, PA. Trogele averaged 16.8 points, nine rebounds and three blocks for the Hurricanes (28-5), who captured the District I title and advanced to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals last season. Trogele, a small forward, chose Penn State over Villanova primarily due to Penn State getting recent commitments from 6'3 center Janessa Wolff and 6'3 power forward Evelyn Lewis. Trogele did not wish to play in the post in college.

Angel Robinson is out of the picture for Minnesota, as she committed to Marquette last week over the Gophers and Pittsburgh. The 5'9 senior point guard made a recent official to Minnesota, where her St. Paul Central teammate junior Kiara Buford recently committed.

READ MORE: Big Ten Recruiting: Commitments