Tanisha Wright -- G

Can't stop -- won't stop. Wright is the biggest threat on the Lady Lions squad, so big that the Netherlands National Team coach Meindert van Vreen told his players to back off every time the ball was in her hands because, "We couldn't stop her, she's just too physical." For the Lady Lions to live up to their 2004-2005 potential, Wright needs to be unstoppable, and as coach Rene Portland thinks she can, "flat out, be the best player I've ever coached at Penn State."

Jess Strom -- G

Backyard basketball, driving down the driveway to the garage-door hoop -- Strom and Wright have played together since just after they were in diapers, and that psychic connection will be fun to watch all season long in the fast-break.

Strom starts the mayhem -- second in the Big Ten last season in steals -- and her speed on the court is the key to getting everything started on offense.

Amanda Brown -- F/C

Brown is a new woman, re-born after a summer playing basketball 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- at least that's what everyone's been saying.

The low-post has always been a weak spot on Coach Portland's teams, but Brown is a different type of post-player. She's surprisingly quick and will be running the floor with Wright and Strom like whoa.

Ashli Schwab -- F

Where Brown is agile, Schwab is physical. But for Schwab staying healthy is the major concern.

She has struggled with injuries her entire career, and she must be able to stay on the court for significant minutes this season for the Lady Lions to remain atop the Big Ten standings.

Schwab has a solid jumper from the high post but sometimes struggles finishing from the blocks.

Jen Harris -- G

Harris is a lightning quick sophomore who the Lady Lions hope will justify her McDonald's High School All-American status in her sophomore campaign.

With the Lady Lions playing what amounts to a three-guard system, Harris must be able to get 10-12 a night with her slashing, Iverson-esque game, and use her height and leaping ability to help out on the boards.

Hazel Joseph -- F/C

The Lady Lions are paper-thin at the post-positions, and Joseph must make a contribution off of the bench night in night out. Joseph has experience as a starter and the case could be made that she is in fact the best rebounder on the team.

Like Schwab she sometimes struggles scoring from the post and is not particularly strong when receiving the ball with her back to the basket, but she will be looked upon to clean the glass and provide a defensive presence on the interior.

Jenny Brenden -- G

The only fifth year senior on the squad, Brenden returns for her super-senior season after not seeing much playing time thus far in her Lady Lion career.

Brenden is an accurate shooter from the perimeter and will be one of Penn State's only threats from downtown. In addition to being the team's designated sharpshooter, she will provide energy and intensity at both ends of the floor.

The Freshman Class

Portland is in the uncomfortable position of relying on the newbies to make a contribution.

Losing guard Amber Bland for a few weeks due to mononucleosis was a big blow, but this is still a class that has the potential to contribute all year.

Point guard Lisa Etienne is a solid distributor who will be asked to spell Strom during the few minutes she finds herself on the bench and Adrienne Squire will contribute a three-pointer here and there.

Romana Vynuchlova is a slight 6'4" import from Slovakia who has potential but seems lost at times.