Gameday preview: Gophers basketball vs. Western Carolina

U began slow last time, but stupor didn't last

Preview: The No. 14 Gophers (3-0) are looking to get off to a better start Sunday than their previous game, when they trailed Niagara by 10 points in the first half Wednesday, the largest deficit they have faced this season. Coach Richard Pitino's team showed off its offensive firepower with a 27-4 run in the second half and all five starters scoring in double figures while combining for 82 points in a 107-81 victory. Western Carolina (1-2) scheduled three high-major conference opponents in its first four games this year. Clemson and Cincinnati beat the Catamounts by a combined score of 187-108 and forced 44 turnovers. Western Carolina G Haboubacar Mutombo, the nephew of former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, was the only starter to score double figures once in the first two games.

Players to watch: Gophers senior C Reggie Lynch was a block away from the program's first and only triple-double since 1976. Lynch set career-highs in points (18) and assists (six), to go along with 12 rebounds and nine blocks in 30 minutes against Niagara. Sophomore Amir Coffey couldn't be stopped in the first half, scoring 17 of his 18 points and hitting seven of his first eight shots, including 3-for-3 on three-pointers.

Numbers: The Gophers broke the team record with 32 assists with only four turnovers. The previous record was 30 against Youngstown State in 1991.