Gophers pregame: Minnesota aiming to put together two halves vs. Western Carolina

Tonight's game vs. Western Carolina tips at 6 p.m. Watch online on ESPN3 (free for subscribers) and listen live on 1500-a.m.

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Now begins a six-game home stretch full of sub-standard opponents. It might not be very exciting, but it provides the perfect chance for the Gophers to shore up some of the sloppiness that has dogged them through the early, and more challenging slate.

Five things to watch tonight:

Turnovers. Last time out, at Wake Forest, Minnesota compiled 20 miscues, many of them unforced, which tied a season high. The previous two games (13 turnovers vs. Georgia and 20 vs. St. John's) weren't exactly clean either. If the Gophers can get that number down, they might look like a different team. Of course, that's easier said than done as turnovers have been a long-standing issue for this crew, dating back to last year.

Two halves. Minnesota isn't playing high-major BCS teams anymore. Not only do the Gophers need to avoid a letdown, but they need to work on playing their best basketball for 40 minutes, something they haven't done much. That includes keeping the defensive intensity throughout, avoiding fouls and holding onto the ball. The Gophers have looked great at times -- NCAA tournament-worthy. At other times, they've looked like they might get killed once the league slate begins. "I am encouraged by the moments that we have had," coach Richard Pitino said. "ut the opponent does have to do with a lot of [the blown leads]. And we all want to play a perfect, forty-minute game. I think every coach you talk to would say they're not where they need to be."

Hot Dre Hollins? Last time out, the senior guard displayed a shooting touch we haven't seen in such extreme form from him in some time. Coach Richard Pitino has made it clear that Hollins' role is centered around defense first and foremost, and in that regard the Memphis guard has had a slew of strong games. "Everybody knows I can score," Hollins said after the Wake Forest win. "So I'm really looking to showcase other facets of my game. My defense, passing." Sure everyone knows, Dre. But doesn't hurt to remind them sometimes, right? Right. Hard to lose when he's hitting shots that way. We'll see if the touch carries over to tonight.

Improvement on the boards. Rebounding hasn't exactly been a strength for Minnesota early on -- and the Gophers still rank 235th nationally in offensive reboundind. But vs. Wake Forest, Minnesota managed to out-rebound its opponent by seven boards. That trend needs to continue if the Gophers are going to survive in the Big Ten.

James Sinclair. Western Carolina is capable of getting hot from beyond the arc, and if that happens, keeping Sinclair -- a pesky guard who can impact on both ends of the floor -- will be important to a strong win. Sinclair is averaging 18.9 points and 5.5 rebounds through eight games.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 78, WCU 59