NCAA Basketball: Where Will Grad Transfer Joe Cremo end up?

2. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Pros

In a case of the rich getting richer, the Bulldogs are looking to continue the great news. First-round picks Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura have already announced their return, making the team a top-10 preseason lock.

What has to make Gonzaga such an appealing option is the recent success of transfers. Players like Eric McClellan and Kyle Wiltjer redefined their careers here. Grad transfers Byron Wesley and Jordan Matthews also had huge roles in their one season in Spokane, going further in March than they ever had before.

Last season, Oregon and Penn State both missed the NCAA Tournament, while Creighton and Texas were an 8 and 11 seed respectively. Compared to going to Gonzaga, which would mean an all but guaranteed trip to the Big Dance.

Cons

Would Cremo even start if he came to Gonzaga? He’d have the right to, and Gonzaga would probably have to promise that to have a shot at getting him. There are four guaranteed starters next season for the Bulldogs, with Josh Perkins, Zach Norvell Jr., Hachimura, and Tillie.

Cremo would be the shooting guard, with Hachimura and Tillie used as the starting frontcourt. But San Jose State transfer Brandon Clarke might be too good not to have at there. His touches will decrease big-time and could be the fifth option on the court at times.

I personally believe that Norvell Jr. is a better overall player than Cremo, and there’s a really good chance the Albany transfer will be on the bench in late-game situations. Will he be okay with that?