Tonight's game vs. Southern tips at 7 p.m. Watch online on ESPN3 or listen live on 1500-AM.

My notebook in today's Star Tribune: Mo Walker is leaner, now the Gophers want him to be meaner. Preview box here.

Five things to watch for tonight:

Two in a row. Last time out, the Gophers put together the first real 40-minute effort -- no real dropoffs, no letting North Dakota hang around -- in the previous six contests. There is no doubt that the competition has eased up substantially from the St. John's - Georgia - Wake Forest stretch, but sleepwalking through one half or the other was beginning to look like a trend. Tonight's visit from Southern (who is ranked 322 out of 351 on kenpom.com) is blowout-worthy once again and Minnesota should take full advantage.

If it ain't broken... The game plan of shoveling off the ball to Mo Walker worked out pretty well, didn't it? North Dakota's frontcourt had absolutely nothing for him, and the Gophers center just completely dominated. A half of that (Minnesota ultimately scored 52 points in the paint -- really opened up the perimeter as well, where the Gophers knocked down seven three-pointers. The offense was cruising. Southern doesn't have much more size -- and certainly not any more defensive ability -- than North Dakota again, so there shouldn't be an problems repeating the strategy.

Hit the boards, kids. Rebounding has been problematic for Minnesota from the start. In the last two games, it's been frightening -- the one aspect that could really dog the Gophers come Big Ten slate. The Gophers have managed just 55 rebounds in the last two games and have sunk to second-to-last in the league in rebounding margin. Earlier this week, Minnesota lost a player that could have provided some help on the boards later this year. Freshman Josh Martin certainly had the athleticism to do so, and showed that in the preseason, but he announced he would transfer on Monday. Minnesota only really has one true rebounder on the roster (I'm looking at you, Elliott Eliason) and so it's go to be a group effort but so far the group effort isn't so great. Joey King and Walker HAVE to get better, especially against these rinky-dink opponents. Walker was great vs. North Dakota -- but if he can get 22 points on that team, he can also probably get more than seven rebounds. Needs to be a focus.

Can they rise above? Let's be clear: Southern is no Giant Killer. The Jaguars have not enjoyed many successes this season so far and have a pretty terrible offense and a pretty terrible defense. But Southern's three strengths? Well, they happen to line up with the Gophers' weaknesses. The Jaguars have gotten to the line, forced turnovers and rebounded on the defensive end all at decent rates. Minnesota sends teams to the line too much, turns over the ball too much and are ranked 252nd nationally in offensive rebounding percentage, per kenpom.com. None of what Southern throws at the Gophers should give them any issues, as long as they can rise above the fray.

Records and acrobatics and stuff. Monday was a day of celebrating new records and athleticism: Walker built a new career high in points (22) while tying a season high in rebounds (7). DeAndre Mathieu enjoyed a new career high in assists (10). Andre Hollins had the first two-dunk game of his career. In all, the game featured seven Minnesota slams from six different players -- Hollins, Walker, King, Eliason, Bakary Konate and this Barn-raiser from Charles Buggs off an inbounds pass. That's the stuff that keeps crowds (and reporters) interested during this sleep-worthy parade of opponents.