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Keeping Jordan Goldwire in the starting lineup will set the tone for Duke

By Kevin Connelly

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Vinnie Shahid #0 of the North Dakota State Bison is defended by Jordan Goldwire #14 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Vinnie Shahid #0 of the North Dakota State Bison is defended by Jordan Goldwire #14 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Jordan Goldwire was inserted into the starting lineup for the Duke Basketball team on Wednesday night and the junior guard should remain in the starting five.

On Wednesday night, Mike Krzyzewski altered his starting lineup from Saturday evening.

Senior captain Jack White went to the bench and junior guard Jordan Goldwire entered the starting five and the early indications are that the lineup should remain as the one which started Wednesday against Fort Valley State.

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Wendell Moore also started the game on the bench for Cassius Stanley.

Duke was lively, energetic, and passionate in its 126-57 victory after only beating Northwest Missouri State by six points on Saturday.

Goldwire paired with Tre Jones in the backcourt gives the Blue Devils a lethal defensive backcourt, one that hounds and harasses opposing guards and sets the tone for the game.

In Wednesday’s victory, Goldwire played 21 minutes and accumulated seven points, three rebounds, eight assists, and five steals while shooting 3-of-6 from the floor and missing his lone 3-point attempt.

Teamed with Jones, the duo combined for 13 points, six rebounds, 14 assists, and eight steals while playing 37 minutes and only committing four turnovers.

The Blue Devils showed a vast improvement offensively on Wednesday night compared to Saturday, with players such as Stanley, Moore, Joey Baker, Matthew Hurt, and Alex O’Connell all producing in the victory.

While Jordan Goldwire and Tre Jones won’t scare any opponents in terms of their scoring production, if Duke is able to get contributions from others positions on the floor to put the ball in the basket, Goldwire and Jones will have guards shaking in their sneakers when they are on defense.

Duke needs to set the tone at the beginning of each game, and unlike previous years, the Blue Devils can do that with its defense this season, specifically having Tre Jones and Jordan Goldwire creating turnovers which will lead to easy transition buckets.

Will Jordan Goldwire crack the regular season starting lineup?

The 100 greatest Duke basketball players under Coach K. light. Trending

He should, but time will tell as the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils open the season at Madison Square Garden on November 5 against the No. 3 Kanas Jayhawks in the State Farm Champions Classic.

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