Are any teams in the Big Ten on the rise? Try Iowa, where center Megan Skouby-- given a big role by teammates' early injuries-- rose to Big Ten Frosh of the Year.

The Hawks have cracked the preseason top 25 despite starting no seniors. (Hey, if UConn can do it...) Johanna Solverson will return to the court in January; last year she tore an ACL.

Lisa Bluder's teams have scored a lot, but they've had trouble with defense and on the boards. ""I'm amazed at how successful we were last year considering how poorly we rebounded," she said. They'll have to duplicate that success without the lightning-speed play of Crystal Smith, now a backup guard for the Mercury.

Hawkeye assistant Jan Jensen discusses recruiting, where Iowa-- like much of the rest of the conference-- fears it's been eclipsed by Ohio State.