“Smear is a zone-buster,” Monti said. “She has a great three-point shot and that’s something we’re going to have to respect when we step on the court with Yale. It’s always going to be an intense rivalry with them. We lost to them last year and they always seem to give us a game.”

Captain Simpson will step up in the front court to fill the holes left by Glick and Miller. Already this year, she has set the record for most rebounds in tournament history with 28 on Nov. 18 at the Colorado Coors Classic.

Bair will lead Yale’s solid defense as she is one of the top defenders in the league with Gingras and rookie Mauseth, who will be called upon more while Smear is out.

Brown

Coach: Jean Marie Burr, 14th season (189-154)

Last Season: 10-17, 5-9 Ivy, 6th

Key Additions: Holly Robertson, C, 6-5, Fr.; Christine Okike, F, 6-0, Fr.; Andrea Conrad, F, 6-0, Fr.

Key Losses: Barbara Maloni (19.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Rachael MacDonald (8.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg);

Starting Five: Rada Pavichevich, F, 5-10, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 3.2 apg); Nyema Mitchell, F, 6-0, So. (6.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg); Miranda Craigwell, C, 6-2, So. (3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Tanara Golston, G, 5-8, So. (2.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg); Stephanie Bruce, G, 5-8, So. (3.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

At a glance: Brown, the would-be team-to-beat in the Ivy is left at that, as the departure of several crucial players has left the Bears looking for players to step up.

The Bears were thought to be in peak form this year, with all its high scorers expected to return, but the loss of Barbara Maloni and Rachael MacDonald will leave a huge hole. Maloni is taking time off while MacDonald has left the team for a reason that commonly plagues teams in this league.

“Rachael really does a lot of other things she wanted to focus on,” said Brown tri-captain Craigwell. “The good thing about the Ivy League is that is allows you the freedom to do that. It’s a perk, but it’s also a deficit because there’s nothing holding players to the team.”

Brown will count on Pavichevich as a major point-scorer, as well as an exceptional threat outside of the arc with 42 three-pointers last year.

Mitchell, the Ivy’s leading shot-blocker last season, will also have a big impact on the court. Against the Crimson on Feb. 13, Mitchell put away two free throws with 6.4 seconds left to give Brown the win.

Bruce and Golston are two of five returning players to have played in all 27 games last year. Classmate Tara Williams adds experience to the team as she had 68 assists from the point.