Columbia finds itself in a similar situation as Penn, having lost both its franchise player and head coach. While there is no doubt that the graduation of First-Team All-Ivy guard Sue Altman will hurt the Lions, new coach Traci Waites might bring a breath of fresh air into a program that at times has shown promise. Waites, Big East Co-Coach of the Year in 1999-2000 while at Pitt, inherets a team that returns six seniors. Unfortunately for her, none are particularly distinguished. Of these, guards Nicole Lesko and Susan Kern will see plenty of time running the floor, and forwards Erin Jaschik and Adia Revell both have the chance to contribute with defense and rebounding.

No. 7 PRINCETON

Last Year’s Record : 7-20 (4-10)

Princeton coach Richard Barron returns all five starters and welcomes a healthy recruiting class to a team that finished seventh in the Ivy League last season. The Tigers were bad in 2003-2004. But with a tricky style of play—“his system is different enough that it always will cause you headaches,” Harvard coach Kathy Delaney-Smith said—and the return of junior post star Becky Brown, Princeton has a chance to improve. Casey Lockwood and Katy Digovich, sophomores who both averaged double-figures in 2003-04, complement a loaded frontcourt. Katy O’Brien and Ali Smith, who share captains’ duties with Lockwood, man the guard positions. With three freshmen standouts standing by, Princeton’s future prospects look decent for the first time in years.

No. 8 CORNELL

Last Year’s Record : 9-18 (4-10)

Cornell finished the 2003-2004 season in need of relief. The Big Red dropped seven of their final eight games, including a 68-55 drubbing by Harvard on Feb. 21. Now for the hard part: recovering from the nasty hangover of six graduated seniors, including all five starters. One of those, Karen Force, a two-time All-Ivy selection and one of the most prolific scorers in Cornell history, will return as an assistant coach. Junior captains Sarah Brown and Hillary Seidel will man the Big Red backcourt, and fellow captain Brittani Rettig will anchor the post. Unfortunately for Cornell, the captains can claim only one career start among them. And with a roster featuring zero seniors and six newcomers, headaches should come easy in Ithaca, N.Y.