Duke Basketball: What the addition of Joe Cremo would mean
Duke basketball is looking to reload this offseason and make a run at the 2019 national title. How would Joe Cremo fit into their roster for next year?
Duke basketball was just one shot away from reaching the Final Four this past season. However, Grayson Allen’s shot rolled off the rim and the team fell to the Kansas Jayhawks. Now that the offseason has started, the reloading process for head coach Mike Krzyzewski is once again underway. The program has already received commitments from four top-10 recruits for their 2018 class but they are missing a veteran leader.
In 2017-18, this role was held down by Grayson Allen, one of the most hated players in the country. Allen certainly had his flaws but was clearly one of the better players in the country over the last few seasons. His absence will be felt throughout the program as he was the most experienced player on the roster. As Coach K looks forward to next season, the only way for him to find a replacement is through the transfer market.
Just a few days into the offseason, Duke basketball has already reached out to one of the top transfer guards in the land. Joe Cremo was a standout player for the Albany Great Danes over the last three seasons and will be immediately eligible for next year, which is his last remaining season. He is an elite shooter and can provide an instant scoring punch either in the starting lineup or off of the bench.
Cremo averaged 17.8 points and 3.8 assists per game last season while stroking the 3-point shot at a 45.8% clip. Considering he attempted 5.2 trifectas per game, this mark is especially excellent. While Duke fans should not expect Cremo to average nearly 20 points per game in the ACC, he showed the ability to be a go-to scorer for Albany. He is not afraid to have the ball in his hands or take tough shots in big moments.
Cremo faced an ACC opponent once last season.He dropped 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in a two-point road loss to the Louisville Cardinals.
There are plenty of options on the table for where Cremo could attend next season, including Ohio State, Creighton, Texas, Penn State, and Marquette. However, Duke stands out as the top program in the group. This is because there are obvious benefits for both sides of the commitment. For Cremo, he is able to become a pivotal rotation player for one of the best teams in the nation.
Instead of fighting for cutting down the nets as the America East champion, he will have the opportunity to grab the scissors after potentially winning a national championship. This is an opportunity that will definitely be hard for the graduate transfer to pass up.
As for the Duke side of the deal, Cremo would provide a huge lift as an experienced leader. Even if he is not in the starting lineup, he can demonstrate what it takes to improve at the college level. He is a proven playmaker and 3-point shooter, two things that will desperately be needed for the Blue Devils next season.
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Tre Jones is likely going to be the primary ball handler for Coach K next season but there is no reason to believe that Cremo cannot slide into the two-guard position or the leading bench scorer. This would be a tremendous fit for both the player and the program in my opinion. If Cremo commits to play for Duke next season, he can give them the last piece needed.