Katie Douglas is the Big Ten co-Player of the Week.

As Purdue prepares to open the Big Ten tournament on Thursday, Douglas says she and her teammates look forward to trying to successfully defend their Big Ten tournament and NCAA Tournament titles.

"As for the Big Ten tournament, we're looking forward to defending what is ours, and what has been ours for the past two years," Douglas said during a chat with ESPN.com on Feb. 29.

And if the Boilermakers meet up with Big Ten regular-season champion Penn State in the conference final?

"I think it'll just be another grudge match," Douglas added. "We've lost two in a row to them this year, and it would be a great championship game, and a fitting way to end the Big Ten season."

During her chat, Douglas gave us her pick for the Big Ten Player of the Year, and also talked about learning to play with a new coach -- and without Stephanie McCarty and Ukari Figgs, and about the NCAA Tournament, where Purdue is "looking forward to hopefully getting a No. 4 seed if things play out right in the Big Ten tournament. After that, anything is possible looking to defend our national championship."

If you missed any of Douglas' chat, check out the edited transcript below. And make sure to check back for next week's Women's Hoops Spotlight chat.

Kim: Katie, congratulations on a fine year. How has this year been different for you than last year?

Katie Douglas: Well, I think this year has been a transition. Any time you have a new coach come in, the system is a little different. I've had to adjust as a player in terms of being a leader, and I think everybody has different roles on this team this year. But it's similar in that we still have a lot of goals that we want to accomplish.

Sarah: How do you think the loss of Steph and Ukari will impact you come tournament time and do you think you have a chance to compete for the title again this year?

Douglas: I think the loss of Steph and Ukari will hurt in experience-wise, having valuable experience in the backcourt. At the same time, while they were here, they helped us to mature and grow and be put in a difficult situations and how to handle them. As for the title this year, right now we're playing well. As long as we continue doing what we're doing well, anything is possible.

DOUGLAS DATA

Katie Douglas, a 6-foot-1 guard/forward who helped lead the Boilermakers to the NCAA title last season, is the leading scorer in the Big Ten Conference this season, averaging 21.2 points through 25 games. Douglas has been Purdue's high scorer in 20 games, putting in 15 performances where she scored 20 or more points, including three 31-point games. Douglas also leads Purdue in several statistical categories, including assists (4.64) and minutes (37.1). She also makes an average of 2.6 steals and 6.4 rebounds a game, and is shooting 44 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the foul line. The Indianapolis, Ind., native, who was named the Big Ten preseason Player of the Year, recently became just the third player in school history -- and the first junior -- to notch 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. Last week, Douglas was named among 15 finalists for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, which will be handed out in April. This week, Douglas and Purdue head into the Big Ten Conference tournament as the league's No. 3 seed. The Boilermakers, who have a first-round bye, will play either Wisconsin or Minnesota on Friday. For more information on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue's official athletic site.

Steve in Indy: What year, beside the National Championship year, was your most memorable and why?

Douglas: Probably my freshman year in high school. We weren't very good, and it was difficult to lose a lot of games, but at the same time, it was a valuable experience because I got to face that adversity, and then my senior year we were the No. 1 team in the state. So I got to see that hard work pay off.

Darien Siddall: How do you like the potential matchup between the Boilermakers and Penn State ? It is a potential that you guys could face each other

Douglas: Obviously if both teams make it to the Big Ten tournament final, I think it'll just be another grudge match. We've lost two in a row to them this year, and it would be a great championship game, and a fitting way to end the Big Ten season.

Laura L.: Hi Katie! Wow! You've had a great season! I saw you play at Northwestern on February 6, and I've watched all Purdue games that have been on TV this year. I will honestly say that with Stephanie and Ukari in the WNBA, I didn't think Purdue was going to have that great of a season, but I was wrong! You may not have the same ranking as last year, but you've all just done great! How do you think Purdue will do in the Big 10 Tournament? Good Luck!!

Douglas: Thanks for your support. As for the Big Ten tournament, we're looking forward to defending what is ours, and has been for the past two years.

boliermakerfan: How's this year's team different from last year's NCAA championship team? Also how has the team adjusted to the new head coach this year?

Douglas: I think this year's team is different in that we go inside first, whereas last year we were more perimeter-oriented. We also like to get it up and run in transition. But basically there are a lot of similarities, also.

Gina: How do you feel about Kelly Komara, and the point guard position?

Douglas: I enjoy playing with Kelly at the point guard position. She creates a lot of opportunities, penetrating and then looking to dish to the outside. She has just been great for this team. We said it all year long. We go -- as a team -- as far as Kelly goes. She just does a great job for us.

Gina: Do you plan on playing in the WNBA?

Douglas: If the opportunity presents itself, I would definitely love to play. Obviously playing my first two collegiate years with coach Peck, and now with her being the WNBA coach in Orlando, it would be nice to have the opportunity to play there. It would also be nice to play here in my home state in Indiana.

Darien Siddall: I know that you've had a great individual year and you were great in the World University Games. Did the loss of key players due to graduation force you to step up your game?

Douglas: I think so. I think that after we won last year, reality set in. We lost 40 points a game in Steph and Ukari. The motivation was there, and focusing on how to get better individually and how to make my team better were focuses as well.

Nate: How do you think this years team will do in the tournament? Do you still talk to Stephanie?

Douglas: Yes, Steph and I are in constant contact. She continues to support us whenever possible.

This year in the tournament, we're looking forward to hopefully getting a No. 4 seed if things play out right in the Big Ten tournament. After that, anything is possible looking to defend our national championship.

Jason: Are you graduating with a degree? I know women athletic teams stress academics ... what is your take on this issue?

Douglas: Yes, I'm graduating with a communications degree with a focus in public relations, next May. I think the women's game has done a tremendous job emphasizing the importance of education and life after basketball.

Sondra: Who is/are the most dynamic players you have defended and/or played against?

Douglas: Probably the most dynamic players was when we played the national team. All around, the talent was incredible. And from 1 to 12, they had a tremendous amount of talent at every position. College-wise, I think Chamique Holdsclaw is it. I had to play her and defend her a lot last year. She's an incredible athlete and player.

Edward: Katie, On away games, do you notice Purdue supporters? At Florida last year there was a bunch of us!!

Douglas: We definitely notice Purdue supporters wherever we go and are extremely appreciative of their continued support of our program. And at Florida, I can remember a couple busloads of fans that were incredible, and it helped us get a win down there.

Darien Siddall: How many Big Ten teams do you think will make the NCAA tourney?

Douglas: I think the Big Ten could get five or six teams in the NCAA Tournament. I think the Big Ten has such great parity that we're capable of bringing that many teams to the tourney.

Rob: Katie, having watched you at the high school and college levels, do you feel your best basketball is still ahead of you?

Douglas: I think so. I've said many times that I've only accomplished a little bit, and I'm looking forward to accomplishing many more things. I think as a player I'd like to become quicker, stronger and develop more of a consistent outside shot.

Douglas: My vote for Big Ten Player of the Year would be a co-award. Helen Darling and Andrea Garner of Penn State. They have demonstrated great leadership, and anytime you go 15-1 in the Big Ten is a great accomplishment. Their leadership and poise on the court has enabled that team to be so successful this year.

Douglas: That's all the time we have for now. I want to wish our men's team a final good luck before the big game tonight versus IU. I hope all of you can come out and support our team this week in Indianapolis in the Big Ten tournament. Thanks for sending in the questions. I appreciate your support.