A famous phrase from Shakespeare's masterpiece Hamlet would seem to describe the once-mighty Penn State Lady Lions rather well: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

University Park, in this instance, is our Denmark.

And though the bard could depict almost any situation, he might stumble when trying to answer the question: "What is wrong with the Lady Lions?"

The program's traditional road woes are setting off even more alarms this season, and coupled with the recent departure of starting guard Adrienne Squire, it has almost entirely dispelled the notion that things might actually work out.

Dodging all questions about off-the-court issues in preseason meetings, the Lady Lions assured everyone that this season would be all about "team." Running off of four impressive wins to start the schedule, Penn State seemed to back that up -- temporarily silencing the critics who felt last season's Jen Harris-Rene Portland discrimination distractions would still resonate.

Then, they hit the road. And they hit it hard.

Beginning with a 28-point drubbing at Duke, the Lady Lions lost five straight away from the Bryce Jordan Center -- including an embarrassing defeat at Division I-AA St. Francis -- an almost inexplicable fall for a team that was poised to put last season, the worst one in school history, behind it. And while their play at home remains strong, a 2-8 road record has left the Lady Lions reeling once more.

Portland's oft-repeated mantra of "win at home, steal on the road" shows that this year's Lady Lions, much like last season's version, are much better guard dogs than cat burglars.

But why? How can a team look so strong at home against top-10 programs like Ohio State (the Lady Lions lost by two on late Buckeye free throws) yet drop a game on the road to Michigan, a team that hadn't won a conference game in over a year?

The coaches and players have no answers.

Then, to make matters worse, Squire left the team in late December for undisclosed reasons, begging the sentiment that Penn State's problems couldn't all be seen on a stat sheet.

Squire became the last of four 2004 recruits -- Portland's entire class from that year -- to either transfer, leave the team, or both. Portland said a lack of communication might have led to the demise of the class, but, like questions about the Harris situation and any lingering effects it might have, answers from the team -- or former members -- were vague or nonexistent. Squire has not been reached for comment, and Romana Vynuchalova, who transferred to Oklahoma City University after last season, has declined interview requests.

"It's unfortunate, but we would've never predicted it," Portland said. "It is what it is."

And "it" is a mystery. Is it a hangover from the Harris hoopla that overshadowed the entire 2005-2006 season? Is it an entirely new issue? Or did Squire simply not want to play anymore?

Again, answers from within are few and far between.

Addressing Squire's departure, Portland spoke of a "snowball effect" in the program that shows "the effect of one person on a lot of people." Seemingly, this references the Harris issue and contradicts what the team implied about the issue being entirely in the past.

If loitering sentiments of the Harris lawsuit are still present within the Lady Lions program, it sure is hard to find out. Portland assures that the supposed "snowball effect" ended with the 2004 recruiting class, and that the program is now fine.

She might be right. Despite the negative publicity, Portland's 2006 recruiting class landed Ms. Ohio Basketball, Tyra Grant, and Grant looks like a legitimate superstar and team leader. Her 2007 class will address the team's biggest needs, adding talent and size underneath the basket.

But the long, black veil that shrouds this program more than any other at the University allows for nothing to be taken at face value. At least the football program makes its players available weekly.

Until that shroud is removed, questions will remain.