Upset victories are hard to achieve, but they are certainly rewarding. For an underdog to win on the road in front of a sell-out crowd of the opposition's fans, victory can be even sweeter.

That is exactly what happened at the Kohl Center in Madison last Sunday as the Wisconsin women's basketball team hosted Minnesota. Badgers' head coach Jane Albright planned on a packed house as part of a "Cram the Kohl" promotion to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, and promised to donate 25 cents to the charity for each fan in attendance.

Albright helped raise over $4,000, but was rewarded for her charitable efforts with a 92-85 upset loss at the hands of the unranked Golden Gophers in front of 17,142 Badger faithful, the largest crowd in Big Ten women's basketball history.

"It was a very unique day for us," Albright said. "It obviously was an opportunity that we feel like we didn't seize in one way, but it was a very historical day on the other hand."

Minnesota has certainly seized its opportunities this season. Traditionally the Big Ten's punching bag, the Gophers stand at 14-3 on the year and are assured at least a .500 season for the first time since 1993-94. Thanks to their victory over the Badgers, Minnesota now stands at 4-2 in the conference and climbed into the national rankings at No. 24.

A huge reason for their turnaround this season has been sophomore guard Lindsay Whalen, who was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week for the third time this season after outstanding performances in wins over the Badgers and Michigan last week. Whalen scored 27 points in the Gophers' home win over the Wolverines, and for an encore tallied a career-high 32 points in Wisconsin. The sophomore shot 12-for-18 from the field and also notched seven assists, nine rebounds and six steals.

Minnesota head coach Brenda Oldfield said Whalen's play has been instrumental in her team's success thus far this season.

"I can't say enough about the play of Lindsay Whalen, to really be able to put this team on her back," Oldfield said. "In my opinion (she) is one of the best perimeter point guards out there in the league."

Standout Sophomores

Whalen is one of several sophomores having outstanding individual seasons in the Big Ten. Four of the conference's top five scorers thus far this season are second-year players.

Penn State's Kelly Mazzante leads with way, averaging a nation-best 25.2 points per game. Whalen is second in scoring with 21.2 points a contest, and Purdue forward Shereka Wright is fourth. Illinios' Iveta Marcauskite, a native of Siauliai, Lithuania, rounds out the top five with 17.5 points per game.

"I think the kid's great," Illinois head coach Theresa Grentz said of the 6-foot-4 center. "I love the kid, and she's getting better and better every day. She's extremely comfortable where she is right now."

Big Matchup

The Big Ten picture could get a little clearer by the end of this weekend. Iowa will head to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on Purdue in a matchup of two squads vying for the conference title.

Both teams stand at 5-2 in the Big Ten and are tied with Illinois for second place behind Wisconsin.

Purdue, last year's Big Ten champions, are looking to regain their place at the top.

"I think this week is pivotal for us because we've got to defend our home court," Purdue head coach Kristy Curry said. "You have to do that to win a Big Ten title."