Currently in her third year as Wisconsin's women's basketball head coach, Lisa Stone has learned just how tough the Big Ten conference can be.

In her first two seasons, the Badgers finished at the bottom of the conference standings at 4-12 (t-10th) in 2003-04 and 5-11 (eighth) in 2004-05.

Nevertheless, Stone hopes to see her squad get over the hump this year, as the team has tipped off its Big Ten season after a tough non-conference schedule.

"This is the year. We have said all along that we wanted it to be our breakout year," Stone said.

With 2005 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jolene Anderson returning to a very young and improving team, all the optimism was there going into the season.

Wisconsin even received a bit more recognition this preseason, predicted to finish sixth and seventh in the coaches and media polls, respectively.

However, that doesn't make the Big Ten schedule any easier — especially considering four conference teams are currently ranked among the AP's top 15 teams in the nation.

"The Big Ten conference is as strong as it's been," Stone said, "and if you look at the Big Ten with Michigan State going to the national championship game last year; Ohio State is a perennial power this year; Minnesota is off to a great start. Our league is one of the best in the business."

Here's how things are likely to shake down in the Big Ten for 2005-06.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes return 2005 Big Ten Player of the Year in center Jessica Davenport, only the fourth sophomore ever to receive such honors. With a strong supporting cast — namely senior guard Brandie Hoskins — Davenport should lead OSU to the top of the Big Ten in 2006 and repeat as Player of the Year.

2. Michigan State

"They could be better than last year," Stone said of the Spartans. "Right now, Michigan State will be the toughest opponent we've faced all year. They're solid." With most of the team returning from 2005 — such as Lindsay Bowen, Liz Shimek, and Rene Haynes — there's no reason to believe MSU won't challenge the Buckeyes for the conference crown yet again and possibly make another run to the NCAA title game.

3. Purdue

Right behind the big two teams in the conference are the Boilermakers. Led by junior guard Katie Geralds — the Big Ten Freshman of the Year two seasons ago — Purdue can't be overlooked, not even by the top two teams. Ohio State learned that fact already this year after losing 61-59 to Purdue on New Year's in West Lafayette.

4. Minnesota

Despite their recent routing by the No. 3 LSU Tigers on national television, the Golden Gophers are right up there with Purdue in the conference's upper tier, behind OSU and MSU. Junior forward Jamie Broback emerged as the team's leader last year in the tournament, leading the team with 14.7 points per game, but has struggled somewhat in her last six games after returning from a leave of absence.

5. Iowa

Iowa will rely solely on senior guard Crystal Smith, who led the team in scoring last year at 16.8 points per game. Highly regarded as possibly the quickest player in the conference, Smith should be able to will the Hawkeyes to a respectable record.

6. Penn State

"When you look at Penn State and see all the banners, you know what a great program this is," Stone said. The Nittany Lions have a strong one-two scoring punch with Amanda Brown (15.5 ppg) and Kamela Gissendanner (14.7 ppg) but simply aren't on the same level as the Big Ten's better teams.

7. Illinois

The Illini could emerge as one of the surprise teams from the bottom of the Big Ten after a big win over No. 15 Oklahoma earlier this year. Sophomore Danyel Crutcher had her breakout game against the Sooners with 24 points and 11 rebounds and has been red-hot ever since.

8. Wisconsin

The Badgers limped into the conference-opener at 5-6, but played a tough non-conference schedule that included losses to No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 17 DePaul and an away game versus Kansas at the always-difficult Phog Allen Fieldhouse. Stone hopes the non-conference losses will turn into Big Ten results, and Wisconsin certainly has the scoring ability — at nearly 70 points per game — to finish in the middle of the conference.

9. Indiana

One bright spot for Indiana this season will be Cyndi Valentin's NCAA record for consecutive free throws, but that could be about it.

T-10. Michigan and Northwestern

Simply put, these two programs only have next year to look forward to.