Duke Basketball: Blue Devils miss out on a pair of key players
Duke will be coming into the 2018-19 college basketball season as one of the favorites to win it all. Were they able to enhance their chances even more?
Having the No. 1 ranked recruiting class has set up Duke to have yet another great season, with aspirations to win a national title. That doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t have work to do, with some questions remaining with the Blue Devils for 2018-19.
The entire starting lineup from this past season will have either graduated or declared for the NBA Draft. That’s not a huge issue, with four top-10 freshmen recruits slated to replace them. This leaves one more spot that can be filled, which could either come from the bench or by other means.
One way was through the grad transfer market, and Duke was hot on the trail for former Albany guard Joe Cremo. He’s an incredible shooter at 46% from three-point range, while averaging 17.8 ppg. The 6’4 senior could reasonably start on this team, with his shooting ability a welcomed addition (no guarantee that the incoming freshmen can spread the floor).
The Blue Devils were one of many teams requesting his services but unfortunately were unable to make the latest cut.
Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo has cut his list to Creighton, Oregon, Gonzaga, Texas, and Penn State, per a source. Visits Creighton this weekend.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 11, 2018
It’s not the biggest blow, as Duke still had plenty of perimeter talent. Where they could be vulnerable is at the center position, with none of their incoming players with a height of over 6’7.
But there was another recruit that would’ve taken the Blue Devils over the top, with EJ Montgomery still being available. Ranked as the No. 12 recruit for the class of 2018 according to 247sports Composite, his 6’10 and 205-pound size was exactly what Duke needed to slide him at the center position. That allows the others to play their more natural position, and avoid being taken advantage of on the boards.
Duke was actually considered the favorite for Montgomery at some point, but he had other plans in mind.
HUGE NEWS to start the morning EJ Montgomery has committed to Kentucky!!!!
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 9, 2018
It’s another tough blow for the team. Not only does he make Kentucky more of a threat down the road against Duke, but now the Blue Devils don’t have many other options for additional size.
Next: 2018 NBA Draft Board 1.0
Now to be clear, this is first-world problems for a Duke team still considered a top-five team headed into next season. But like everyone else, they have potential weaknesses to shore up, and couldn’t do it. The Blue Devils rarely experience losses when it comes to getting their top targets, but the past few days haven’t been they were hoping for.