Proud Penn State preps for a season in spotlight

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - No. 8 Penn State is unfazed by the expectations that come with being anointed the preseason favorite in the Big Ten.

The Lady Lions return four starters from a team that went 26-7 and won its first league title since 2004. Penn State has its highest preseason ranking in the AP Top 25 since starting at No. 7 in the 2003-4 season.

Maryland transfer Dara Taylor joins guards Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas in what is already an explosive backcourt. The veteran frontcourt has scoring and rebounding options in Nikki Greene and Mia Nickson.

The core of the team is entering its third season together, and Bentley and her teammates are collected and confident.

Coach Coquese Washington has said she loves the lineup possibilities offered by a deep, versatile roster.