Sometimes things happen in life that make you take a step back and appreciate what you have in life. Players and coaches in the Big Ten had that happen to them this past week when Indiana women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett was injured in an auto accident.

Bennett was on her way to Assembly Hall on Friday morning when a head-on collision caused her to break the second vertebra in her neck. Fortunately, Bennett did not suffer any spinal cord damage and a neurosurgeon has determined that surgery will not be necessary. It is hoped that she will be on her feet and walking by the end of the weekend.

The accident shook up both the Hoosiers and the Big Ten. Bennett has received many get-well items from others and she is grateful for that.

"I know Kathi would want me to thank those people that have sent flowers and e-mails and everything else," Indiana associate head coach Tricia Betthauser said. "One truly wonderful thing about this game is how people pull together in times of need and that has definitely been shown this week."

Betthauser has taken over the day-to-day coaching duties while Bennett remains in the hospital. However, that does not mean that she is making decisions without Bennett's consent.

Betthauser said she will continue to convey exactly what Bennett wants her to while she is unable to coach.

It can be hard for teams to adjust to a new coach, especially in a trying time like this. Betthauser said that she is very proud of how her team has reacted to the situation. However, the team may see Bennett courtside fairly soon.

"Knowing Kathi, yes, her presence will be there," Betthauser said.

Killing them with consistency

There seems to be no such thing as a down year for Purdue.

This season marks the fifth straight season that the Boilermakers have won at least 20 games. Their win on Sunday was their 24th consecutive home win.

Purdue has especially received great play from its players late in games this season. Almost every time the Boilermakers have been in a close game with time winding down they have been able to pull it out.

"I think it is a character instinct, these kids just find a way to win," Purdue women's basketball coach Kristy Curry said. "It is a gut check time and this is such a gutsy team and I love them."

Right now Purdue is in the midst of a nine-game win streak and is on pace to make the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time.

"It comes down to this season is just a matter of pride," Curry said. "We've had great balance this year, it is the most balance team I've had at Purdue."

It's no fluke

Guess who has crept into the No. 2 spot in the Big Ten?

That's right, it is that surprising team from Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have had an incredibly consistent season and they now find themselves in the thick of the race for the conference crown.

Of course, that was not the way it was supposed to happen. During the past six years the Gophers have only scored eight wins in the Big Ten and all the experts thought this year would be no different.

The experts have been wrong and Minnesota now has nine conference wins to go along with the 19 they have overall this season. They have also climbed to No. 18 in the Associated Press Poll.

Minnesota women's basketball coach Brenda Oldfield has been happy with her team's play and hopes that it can continue their dominance when they host Purdue today.

When they looked at the schedule early this season, experts also did not think that this game would feature the top two teams in the conference.

Oldfield does not blame them.

"Who would have thought when the season begun that No. 1 vs. No. 2 would have been a Purdue-Minnesota match-up?" Oldfield said.