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Purdue and Indiana the latest Big Ten schools affected by player exodus

By Mike Peden

COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 08: Head coach Sharon Versyp of the Purdue Boilermakers watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on January 8, 2015 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 08: Head coach Sharon Versyp of the Purdue Boilermakers watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on January 8, 2015 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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The current rate of headlines involving Big Ten schools leaves one question…will anyone play in the Big Ten next year?

The question is rhetorical, of course, but Indiana and Purdue are the latest schools affected by the wave of outgoing players.

At Indiana, redshirt sophomore Tia Elbert announced on Wednesday that she would not complete her final two seasons of eligibility.

“This was a really difficult decision to make, as I am truly thankful for the opportunity to wear an Indiana uniform,” Elbert said in a statement published by Indiana. “This is a choice I’m making based to complete my degree in the fall of 2017 and move back to my family in Minnesota sooner rather than later.”

Elbert started her college career at Marquette, earning a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team. However, she didn’t fully mesh with the coaching staff and transferred to Indiana following a 9-22 season. She couldn’t play last year due to NCAA transfer rules, but she gained a reputation as a beacon of enthusiasm on the Indiana bench.

Entering this season, hopes were high that Elbert’s speed and scoring ability would aid the Hoosiers, but her activity was sporadic. The 5-foot-7 guard averaged a mere 6.7 minutes per game.

Staying within state boundaries, Purdue announced that junior Bree Horrocks would transfer from the school following the completion of her undergraduate studies. Horrocks played in just two games this season before suffering a knee injury. During her recovery, she also had surgery to correct a hip ailment.

A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Horrocks had her best season as a sophomore, starting seven games that year. In a statement published by Purdue, the 6-foot-5 center indicated that her postgraduate plans involved subjects not offered in the school’s campus.

With the exit of Elbert and Horrocks, the Big Ten has lost 11 players to transfer or resignation in the last three days.

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