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Gonzaga Basketball

How will Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke handle Duke’s Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish? We’ll find out in the Maui Invitational final

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Before the start of the Maui Invitational, Spokesman-Review beat writer Jim Meehan listed his dream individual showdowns for the tournament.

As Gonzaga handled business in the bottom half of the bracket, top-ranked Duke held serve in the top half, setting up a marquee game for the Maui title on Wednesday (2 p.m., ESPN).

Here’s a look at the matchup’s Meehan hoped to see if the Bulldogs and Blue Devils took the court against each other.

Zion Williamson vs. Rui Hachimura

Williamson is 6-7 and 285 pounds, a rim-wrecking freight train in the open court. He also moves like a guard. No wonder he was offered a football scholarship by LSU. Williamson is averaging 23.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, along with countless highlight-reel dunks

Hachimura would be giving away roughly 50 pounds, but he is Gonzaga’s strongest interior player and had success defending 260-pound Jock Landale last season. Clarke is an option, but he’d have to find a way to counter Williamson’s size and strength advantages.

Duke's RJ Barrett (5) drives to the basket against Army's Jordan Fox (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Duke's Tre Jones (3) looks for a pass. (Gerry Broome / AP)
Duke’s RJ Barrett (5) drives to the basket against Army’s Jordan Fox (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Duke’s Tre Jones (3) looks for a pass. (Gerry Broome / AP)

RJ Barrett vs. Zach Norvell Jr.

Two versatile, talented, creative scoring wings going at it would be a treat to watch. The 6-7 Barrett, who was Gonzaga freshman Filip Petrusev’s teammate at Montverde Academy, is a handful inside and out. He’s taken 22 shots per game, but he’s also producing 24 points. The 6-5 Norvell can put up points in a hurry.

Duke's Zion Williamson (1) and Cam Reddish (2) guard Eastern Michigan's Damari Parris (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Gerry Broome / AP)
Duke’s Zion Williamson (1) and Cam Reddish (2) guard Eastern Michigan’s Damari Parris (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Gerry Broome / AP)

Cam Reddish vs. Brandon Clarke

This game would be filled with athletic, skilled bigs, and Reddish and Clarke certainly fit that description. The 6-8 Reddish appears destined to join Williamson and Barrett as one-and-dones. He’s drained a team-leading 13 3-pointers, averages 16.5 points and is a willing passer (10 assists). Clarke is a high-riser who can score, rebound and block shots. Corey Kispert could be an option here on defense, with Reddish doing most of his damage on the perimeter.