Auburn vs. Xavier: Key storylines to watch in Maui Invitational matchup

12 double-digit scorers entering this game

Both Auburn an Xavier each lost a fair amount of production a year ago, so it was going to be interesting to see who steps up in their absence. Turns out for each side that it would be a team effort, with six different players on each team currently averaging over 10 ppg, while no one currently is over 15 ppg.

And even with the “cupcake” games skewing the overall numbers, both teams had balanced scoring efforts in the games versus Wisconsin and Washington respectively. The balance isn’t just on the scoring end but in other categories as well. For Xavier, both Quentin Goodin and Naji Marshall lead the team with 4.0 apg, with Paul Scruggs just behind at 3.7 apg. They also spread it around on the boards, with four different Musketeers averaging at least 5.3 rpg.

Auburn has a similar situation in the frontcourt, with everyone in their rotation getting rebounds at a high rate. The difference is the clear lead ball handler in Jared Harper, pacing the team with 7.3 apg while also tied for the team lead with 15.0 ppg. With Mustapha Heron gone, the junior guard has picked up the scoring load while still distributing at a high rate. For Xavier to have a chance to win this game, they’ll have to shut Harper down and not let him get going.

As more games are played for both teams, the clear go-to players will establish themselves. But because of how early it is, both coaching staffs will have to devise a lengthy game plan involving all the players, as any of them could go off and decide this game. It’ll be even harder for both Duke and San Diego, who’ll only have one day to create a strategy against either of these teams.