NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 5 teams in play for Memphis transfer Moussa Cisse

Around a year ago, the Memphis Tigers got a big-time late offseason addition for its 2020-21 roster in Moussa Cisse, a consensus five-star recruit and ranked in the top-20 overall. The 6’11 center had plenty of promise and potential but also was a raw prospect and was going to go through some going pains as a freshman.

That’s what happened to Cisse for the most part. The big man did start all 28 games played but averaged 6.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg in 19 mpg. Cisse only reached double figures in seven games, and had six games with 10+ rebounds, with four of them coming in non-conference play.

The Memphis center was an offensive liability at times, including a lack of a consistent post-game and woeful free throw shooing, including 32% last season at the charity stripe. But the athleticism, size and potential makes Cisse still a hot commodity, especially now as a free agent in July.

Cisse has been portal for a few months while going through the NBA Draft process but now that he has withdrawn, can focus on finding a new team for next season. And with a reported list of five options, let’s look at how the transfer center would fit at them.

Cincinnati Bearcats

After losing both Chris Vogt and Rapolas Ivanauskas, new head coach Wes Miller landed a trio of frontcourt transfers in Abdul Ado (Mississippi State), Ody Oguama (Wake Forest) and Kaden Koval (UNC Greensboro). None of the three are sure bets to start but it’s interesting that all three are more naturally suited to play the five-spot, which is what Cisse would play.

But after losing last season’s leading scorer Keith Williams to the transfer portal recently, the Bearcats could use all the talent they can get to be competitive in the AAC. And with Cisse already familiar with the league and could have the opportunity to face Memphis for some revenge, this may be an intriguing spot.