MINNEAPOLIS _ Richard Pitino said he scheduled tougher home games for the fans, but it really became an early test to see how much better his Gophers basketball team would be in his fourth season.
So far, it has been up to the challenge.
For the first time since 2011, Minnesota has two home victories against major conference opponents before Big Ten play after an 85-71 victory against Arkansas on Tuesday at Williams Arena.
Arkansas and St. John's aren't projected to be NCAA tournament teams, but they could be competitive this season in the Southeastern Conference and Big East, respectively.
With a 5-0 start, the Gophers are making a statement they could be one of the most improved teams in the Big Ten. They need just three more wins to match last season's total.
"I think they feel good about themselves," Pitino said. "They should be confident. They worked hard and stayed humble throughout a tough offseason."
Coming off a career-high 30-point game Friday against St. John's, freshman Amir Coffey led six players in double figures with all of his 19 points in the second half on 7-for-9 shooting.
Akeem Springs had 11 first-half points, including three 3-pointers. Reggie Lynch got the best of his match-up with SEC preseason player of the year Moses Kingsley. Lynch outscored Kingsley 10-4 in the first half, and also finished with seven rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.
Pitino said Lynch was limited to four minutes in the second half because of an ankle injury.
"I don't think it's serious," he said about his starting center.
The Razorbacks (3-1), who shot 28 percent and committed 13 turnovers in the first half, took a 17-16 lead after a jumper from Kingsley with 7:40 left. But dunks from Lynch and Eric Curry sparked a 9-0 run.
Springs' third 3-pointer capped a 25-4 run for the Gophers, who led by 18 points at halftime. It was the third straight game where a big run helped Minnesota overcome a deficit.
"I think with our team, when we're getting it done on defense we're a lot more confident on offense," Springs said. "We can credit the run to our defense. Once we get stops, it makes it easier for everybody."
Curry had a career-best 12 points on 8-for-8 free throws. Nate Mason finished with 13 points and seven assist for the Gophers, who shot 51.8 percent from the field and forced 21 turnovers.
After playing Southern Illinois on Friday at home, Minnesota travels to Florida State for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Monday.
The Seminoles, who made their top 25 debut this week ranked No. 25 in the country, will be the first opportunity to get a signature win. The Gophers then play Dec. 3 against Vanderbilt in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Pitino raved about how this team's depth and balance made a difference Tuesday. Curry and Springs combined for 23 of Minnesota's 30 bench points.
Dupree McBrayer, the team's second leading scorer at 14.8 points per game, had just three points after sitting for most of the game with foul trouble. But Springs, a senior graduate transfer from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, found his rhythm offensively. He also helped shut down Arkansas' top scorer, Dusty Hannahs, who had just four of his 20 points in the first half.
The Gophers scored 80 or more points in five straight games for the first time since 1992-93. Minnesota under Clem Haskins that season averaged 93 points during a 6-0 start.
"Totally different team," Pitino said. "I'll say it a billion times. It's like the Wolves with (Karl-Anthony Towns)."
