The Big Ten's women's basketball coaches have tabbed Penn State as the preseason League favorite for the 2003-04 women's basketball season, while Purdue was selected as the preseason front-runner by members of the Big Ten media.

Defending Big Ten Champion Penn State returns all of its starters from the squad that went 26-9 overall and 13-3 in League play last season. Among the Lady Lion returnees is senior guard Kelly Mazzante, who was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year by the media and as the Preseason Co-Player of the Year by the coaches.

Minnesota senior guard Lindsay Whalen was the coaches' additional selection as Preseason Co-Player of the Year.

Purdue, winner of three of the last five Conference titles, brings back four of its starters from last season. The Boilermakers went 29-6 overall last year and 12-4 in Conference play. The Golden Gophers are ranked third in both preseason polls after tying the Boilermakers for second in the 2002-03 Conference race with a 12-4 record and posting a 25-6 overall mark.

The preseason top three all advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last season, marking the first time in League history that three programs reached the NCAA Regional Semifinals in the same year.