Read my observations from last night's 109-57 win over DII Franklin Pierce here. Other postgame notes here.

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Three things as the Gophers go through their second consecutive one-day prep for UMBC on Saturday.

The crowd: Last night's Barn attendance was pretty respectable, given the quality of the opponent. The official count was 9,562, and although it was probably more like 8,500 in reality, it was a legitimate non-conference crowd – certainly more than I expected. "That's awesome," Pitino said after the game. "For a lot of programs that's really, really good. We're appreciative of it."

The perimeter rotation: The Gophers are as deep with quality players in the backcourt as they have been in years with DeAndre Mathieu, Andre Hollins, Nate Mason, Daquein McNeil and Carlos Morris – all of whom are able to play more than one position except for Mathieu – rotating in. All are very strong defensively, often the most damaging slack when a team goes to the bench. "This year, if a guy makes a mistake I feel like I can pull him, explain it to him and there is no drop off," Pitino said.

The backup power forward: Who is the go-to when Joey King needs a break or gets into foul trouble? "That's the biggest questionmark," Pitino said. So far, both Bakary Konate (who Pitino has occasionally played at the four) and Josh Martin – though both got valuable experience last night with Minnesota trouncing Franklin Pierce – look extremely raw and unprepared to handle such a role. Charles Buggs had a nice game yesterday, finishing with eight points , four rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes, but the reality hasn't changed with him either, especially against better competition. Pitino said defense, rebounding and processing scouting reports remain concerns with all three of those guys. "They've still got a long ways to go," he said. "And as we get going, every possession is so important."

Quick hits:

*Video highlights from last night's win.

*Minnesota had 38 deflections last night, four fewer than the Gophers did in their win vs. Western Kentucky.

*The Gophers took only four "challenged" shots per the staff's charting. Pitino said the team had taken 18 or more in each of the last two games.

Tweeted:

"Mathieu on not overlooking this gm: Last year we played Chaminade, and we were down 7 at half we know we can be beat by anyone on any day" -- @NadineBabu

"Pitino like resting a lot of legs with 3 games in 5 nights. Perfect opportunity for it. Mo didn't play in half." 2." --@RyanJamesMN

"#Gophers PG DeAndre Mathieu was informed that tonight was the most points Minnesota's scored since 1990. "I wasn't even born then," he said." --@FSNtylermason

"Minnesota's blowout win over Franklin Pierce (109-57) was worse than Franklin Pierce's failed 1856 reelection campaign. #Gophers" -- @BTPowerhouse

"I get the fact that the Gophers' young guys need experience. Good for them, we also need to tell them they are playing a high school team." -- @NOELTHOMPSON