Figgs, White-McCarty propel Boilermakers

By DONNIE COLLINS
Collegian Staff Writer

Even before the Big Ten women's basketball season began, Purdue guards Stephanie White-McCarty and Ukari Figgs were the toasts of the conference.

As Boilermakers coach Carolyn Peck answered the barrage of questions concerning her talented backcourt at the Big Ten's basketball media day last October, a smile on her face became more and more evident.

Was the tandem of White-McCarty and Figgs the best backcourt tandem in the nation?

She talked about the undying work ethic of her senior co-captains -- their selflessness and sacrifices.

She talked about the smooth transition Figgs made from the shooting guard position to point guard. She talked about Figgs' hustle -- about how it helped her to be among the team's leaders in rebounding.

She talked about White-McCarty's presence, her desire to be the best.

"Steph and Ukari have done a great job for us," Peck said. "They have been tremendous leaders for us. Where Steph gets it done offensively, Ukari gets it done defensively, and vice versa."

However, Peck never did give the answer for which the media was searching.

Despite the fact that White-McCarty and Figgs entered the 1998-99 season with 2,342 combined points, 811 rebounds, 684 assists and 262 3-point baskets, Peck stopped short of calling them the best tandem in women's college basketball.

With their respective performances this season, however, it's growing increasingly difficult not to call White-McCarty and Figgs anything short of dominating.

The most prolific scorer in the Big Ten this season, White-McCarty is averaging more than 21 points per game. Figgs is chipping in with an additional 15 per contest. The ability of White-McCarty and Figgs, a pair of guards, to rebound with the best of the Big Ten's post players -- together they average more than 10 rebounds per game -- demonstrates their well-rounded nature.

But in their first game this season, White-McCarty and Figgs, for all their past accomplishments, may have outdone even themselves.

It was Nov. 15, and the Boilermakers just had pulled off the upset of the young season -- a 10-point drubbing of then-No. 1 Tennessee. White-McCarty led the charge with 24 points on 8 for 12 shooting. Figgs, even on an off night, was able to chip in with 10 points and four assists.

Not only did they earn a victory and national prominence for Purdue, White-McCarty and Figgs garnered respect and notoriety. Now, it was not only the Big Ten that knew how dangerous Purdue's backcourt could be. It was the entire women's basketball world.

"They definitely have one of the best backcourts in the country," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "Certainly, when we played them one-on-one we couldn't handle them at all. In fact, they handled us."

Summitt is no stranger to great guard play. It is common knowledge that the teams still playing late in March are the ones receiving the most consistent play from the position.

But even the best guards have their problems when playing Purdue.

Northwestern guard Megan Chawansky, one of the most steady guards in the Big Ten throughout the season, leads the Wildcats in scoring with a 16.6 points-per-game average this season.

Against Purdue Jan. 12, the Northwestern senior had 14 points in her team's 76-46 defeat at the hands of the Boilermakers. Considering the players guarding her, Chawansky considered that output acceptable.

Like Peck, Chawansky won't say White-McCarty and Figgs are the best in the game. But because of the different problems both players present, Chawansky will admit they are close to attaining such a status.

"I don't like to use superlatives like best, but they are very talented and very skilled," Chawansky said. "Stephanie White-McCarty just gets it done. Ukari is such an emotional player, and that can be hard to play against."

Simply focusing on the offensive abilities of White-McCarty and Figgs also has proven to be lethal for Purdue's opponents.

In its 53-48 loss to the Boilermakers Jan. 5, No. 15 Penn State's offense was stymied by Purdue's stifling defense. The Lady Lions experienced numerous problems trying to match up both offensively and defensively with Purdue when Peck put her four guards on the floor at the same time.

Containing the guards -- White-McCarty, Figgs, Katie Douglas and Kelly Komara -- on both ends of the court is always Penn State's main concern when preparing for the Boilermakers.

"We're working on it a lot during practice," Lion guard Lisa Shepherd said. "Sometimes, they'll put that four-guard matchup in there. It's going to be tough to go against their defense. But this week, I think we can do it."

Many teams have practiced to stop White-McCarty and Figgs. Many coaches have constructed game plans designed not necessarily to stop them, but to contain them.

Few have been successful on either count.

Basically, if one doesn't hurt you, chances are the other will.

For those reasons, White-McCarty and Figgs have put Purdue on the rather exclusive map of dominating programs in women's college basketball.

"Certainly at Purdue, you have to say their backcourt has been consistent," Summitt said. "It has been impressive and it is why they are one of the top teams in the women's game."