NCAA Basketball: Analyzing four-star 2020 F Alex Tchikou top 9 teams

Illinois Illini

We still have no clue what starting center Kofi Cockburn will do regarding the NBA Draft. If he returns, then both Cockburn and Giorgi Bezhanishvili will be leading the frontcourt once again. But if Cockburn goes pro, then there’s a clear opening for someone like Tchikou to come in and have plenty of minutes out the gate.

Illinois recently brought in three-star center Brandon Lieb as depth or a potential replacement to Cockburn but in terms of raw talent, Tchikou is better and has more potential down the line. If a decision comes before what Cockburn decides, he’d have to be willing to play 15-20 mpg off the bench as a freshman. But then, he’d be a breakout star candidate for 2021-22.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

With All-SEC forward Reggie Perry off to the NBA Draft, the Bulldogs are a little thin in terms of true big men for next season. Center Abdul Ado (5.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg) and Western Kentucky transfer Tolu Smith will be around but adding a talent like Tchikou will be important for depth, as well as someone with All-Conference potential in his own right.

Mississippi State lost a ton of talent this offseason and has a solid incoming group of wings to work with. With D.J. Stewart likely having a big sophomore campaign, shoring up the frontcourt will be needed to make it back to the NCAA Tournament. This prospect could be that missing piece.