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Duke vs. Gonzaga: Key storylines to watch for in Maui Invitational matchup

By Brian Rauf

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 20: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils throws down a dunk during the second half of the game against the Auburn Tigers at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 20, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 20: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils throws down a dunk during the second half of the game against the Auburn Tigers at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 20, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Josh Perkins #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs brings the ball upcourt during the first half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Josh Perkins #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs brings the ball upcourt during the first half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Gonzaga limiting turnovers

Of course, Auburn was able to keep Duke out of transition by limiting their turnovers. They only coughed it up nine times against the Blue Devils, keeping Duke’s transition opportunities to a minimum.

Gonzaga has struggled with turnovers this year, giving up 34 times over their two games in Maui. Senior point guard Josh Perkins, who has had a turnover problem throughout his career, has struggled the most with 10 turnovers over his last two games.

Duke doesn’t press to force turnovers but they do play a tight man-to-man defense. Jones is one of the better defensive point guards in the country and should line up against Perkins.

If they can make Perkins uncomfortable, Gonzaga’s offense gets out of sync, and that’s where the turnovers come. Stopping Duke on the break is like trying to stop the Monstars, so it’s best to simply not allow them to get going.

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