Virginia vs. Auburn: 5 key storylines in Final Four matchup

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates after a three pointer against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 30: Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers battles for the ball with Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Turnovers will be an important factor

If their ability to play defense is the biggest trademark of Virginia basketball, the slow methodical pace they run their offense is probably the next biggest. They play at the slowest tempo in college basketball and like to limit possessions.

On the flip side, Auburn averages 80 points per game and like to play at a much faster pace. So, another factor to watch in this game is the turnover battle, will Auburn be able to turn Virginia over? Thus, limiting the Hoos already scarce possessions.

Auburn is very active defensively as evidenced by their second-ranked 5.5 turnover margin and the 366 steals on the season, a number matched by no other team. The Tigers also rank 3rd with 9.4 steals per game and they force over 17 turnovers per game, have four players that have averaged over a steal per game and during the tournament have averaged over eight steals per game and forced over 15 turnovers.

The problem that Auburn faces is that Virginia is the stingiest team in the country when it comes to coughing the ball up. The Cavaliers average just nine turnovers per game and have the fifth fewest turnovers on the season. During their four-game run in this tournament, Virginia has committed a total of 34 turnovers.

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