Though the Crimson is the Ivy favorite in early season predictions, Harvard’s road through the league is far from bump-free. Harvard only has to look back to Feb. 17, the day the Crimson faced the Elis, to know that in the Ivy League, every game is anyone’s game. Yale came into the game with a 1-8 record, but managed to upset the Crimson in overtime, and Harvard’s championship hopes faded. Its experience against the last-place Elis proved one thing—there is no team in this league to sleep on.

“One of the great things in this league is that anyone can beat anyone in any game especially because you play back-to-back games,” said Harvard senior Jen Monti. “You can catch the top dogs any day. The Ivy League is pretty unique for that competitive aspect.”

Penn returns among the top competitors for the title after its astounding perfect trip to the crown last year, but Dartmouth boasts a roster that will be tough to beat. Going down the rest of the Ivy list, sharp-shooters, points guards, and rookies are stepping up everywhere in the league, creating a schedule of question marks for the Crimson.

Dartmouth

Coach: Chris Wielgus, 17th season (234-161)

Last Season: 12-15 (8-6 Ivy), T-3rd

Key Additions: Katie Frett, G, 6-0, Fr.; Laura Yasaitis, C, 6-3, Fr.; Michelle Strong, G, 5-7, Fr.; Yah Demann, F, 6-2, Fr.

Key Losses: Samantha Berdinka, G, 5-8 (8.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Sherryta Freeman, G, 5-9 (7.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Stephanie Kinnear, F, 5-10 (5.4 ppg, 4.3 apg)

Starting Five: Katherine Hanks, F, 6-1, Jr. (15.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg); Katie Skelly, F, 6-1, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Jamie Librizzi, G, 5-11, So. (2.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg); Keri Downs, G, 5-4, Jr. (9.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg); Courtney Lewis, G, 6-0, So. (1.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg)

At a glance: The Big Green will be at the top of the Crimson’s list of competitors this season, returning its three leading scorers from last year—Hanks, Skelly, and Downs.

Hanks, a First Team All-Ivy selection last year and the Ivy Rookie of the Year her freshman year, looks to build on her outstanding performance last season. She led the league in blocked shots, took second in rebounding and in field goal percentage, and was third in scoring behind Harvard’s Hana Peljto and Penn’s Diana Caramanico.

“[Hanks] is just really talented,” said Harvard co-captain Katie Gates. “She has a really good turnaround jump shot and she’s a pretty smart player.”

Downs’ performance thus far has been outstanding. She was named last week’s Ivy Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 30 versus Colgate and adding 26 points against Vanderbilt. She is averaging 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. She led the Ivies with an 86.4 free-throw percentage last year, and continues to find success from the charity line, where she set a school record by hitting 25 straight foul shots. She is also a proven defensive force, as she led the Big Green with 33 steals last year.

“Dartmouth is always our big rival,” Monti said. “Even without as much talent as they’ve had in the past, they’ll find a way to stay right in it. Also, they always tend to get better as the season goes on.”

Sophomores Jamie Librizzi and Courtney Lewis round out a team that is already looking to the top of the league, as the Big Green begins the season with a 3-2 record.