Ali Patberg didn’t get a chance to play in games this season, but she played no small role in helping Indiana University win a WNIT championship.
The 2015 Miss Basketball and McDonald’s All-American from Columbus North practiced with the Hoosiers throughout the season while sitting out the year because of the NCAA transfer rule. But she made the most of all the time she spent with the team.
“I wasn’t able to play on the floor, which was really hard, but I did everything I could, which was bringing energy in practice or giving my all every drill or playing on the scout team, getting everybody mentally ready,” Patberg said. “Then on game day, it was just bringing energy on the bench.”
A lot of that practice time was spent playing against here friend and roommate, point guard Tyra Buss. Buss became IU’s all-time leading scorer this season and was an All-Big Ten player.
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With Buss graduating, Patberg, North’s all-time scoring and assist leader, could fill the Hoosiers’ point guard role next season.
“She’s an amazing player,” Patberg said. “She’s probably one of the most competitive players I’ve played against. She always wants to win, and I think I’ve learned a lot from her. She’s also just a great person. She taught me a lot of things on the floor and off the floor, how to carry yourself. It was great being her teammate and her friend.”
Patberg transferred to IU after two years at Notre Dame. She redshirted the first year after tearing her ACL in preseason practice before playing in 22 games last season.
The night before the Hoosiers’ WNIT championship game win against Virginia Tech, Notre Dame upset undefeated UConn in the NCAA semifinals on a last-second shot by Arike Ogunbowale.
Then the night after IU’s championship, Ogunbowale hit another last-second shot to beat Mississippi State and give the Irish the title. Patberg said she texted Ogunbowale, who along with Marina Mabrey, were part of Notre Dame’s 2015 recruiting class.
“I’m happy for them and their success,” Patberg said. “They all work very hard. They definitely deserved to win.”
With the Irish losing their top two point guards to ACL tears this season, there is a good chance Patberg could have played a major role.
But make no mistake about it — she is happy where she is. She doesn’t have any second thoughts about what might have been had she stayed in South Bend.
“I love IU so much,” Patberg said. “I’m glad to be here. I love my teammates and coaching staff, and I’ve grown as a person and a player, and I’m really thankful for that.”
After taking the past two weeks off, coach Teri Moren’s Hoosiers will start back up next week, getting ready for next year. It’s a year in which Patberg figures to play a prominent role.
“I’m working hard and am going to continue working hard next season,” Patberg said. “I’m ready to play for IU.”
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Name: Ali Patberg
High school: Columbus North
College: Indiana University
Year: Junior (academically); redshirt-sophomore (athletically)
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Point guard
Major: Finance
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