After a subpar start, the Bulldogs underwent a serious makeover and cruised to a 9-5 record in their last 14 games. Senior Alyson Miller, a second-team All-Ivy selection who shot 52 percent from the field, catalyzed this tremendous streak. She racked up 12 points and seven boards per game during Ivy play.

Miller is gone, and her replacement is just one of several questions surrounding the Bulldog starting five.

The identity of the starting point guard remains a mystery, but senior Sara Perkins, who returns after a two-year absence, will fight to see significant playing time at the point.

Sophomore Maria Smear, who was named to the All-Rookie Team, led the Bulldogs in scoring with 11.3 points per game. She is also a deadly shooter beyond the arc, connecting on a team-best 40 shots from downtown last season.

The Bulldogs also have experience inside with senior center Lily Glick and sophomore Helene Schutrumpf leading a deep corps of forwards. With Lisa Kaegi also fighting Glick for playing time, Yale has a roster full of offensive weapons that might launch the Bulldogs toward an Ivy championship.

5. Brown

After suffering a six-year drought since its last Ivy title, Brown is poised to make a run at the league championship again this season. The Bears will rely heavily on sophomore guard Barbara Maloni, who averaged more than 20 points per game last season and was named second-team All-Ivy for her offensive prowess.

Maloni made her mark on Brown's record books last season after lighting up Penn for 40 points as a freshman, destroying Brown's single-game scoring record.