NCAA Basketball: Pros and cons of transfer Kofi Cockburn’s final 3 options
Illinois Fighting Illini
Pros
Although he technically has three years of eligibility left in NCAA Basketball, the odds are very good that Cockburn will be around for just one more season before going pro and staying there. If that is the case, it’s a big risk to go somewhere else to a different coaching staff and system that may not make you a better player. Although the assistants are gone, head coach Brad Underwood is back and no question as to who the top offensive option will be for the Illini if he comes back.
Even after supposedly losing him, Illinois didn’t really replace Cockburn at the five-spot. They brought in Florida transfer Omar Payne, who in two years produced 3.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 15 mpg played. He’d be Cockburn’s backup without question.
And without Dosunmu around, Cockburn would be the focal point of the offense and get even more touches compared to last season. Andre Curbelo is more of a facilitator, while Alfonso Plummer and Trent Frazier are solid double-digit scoring guards, yet neither a 20 ppg scorer that needs the ball all the time.
Cons
First of all, it just feels weird that a player has their “current” team among their final options in the second recruitment. Obviously, if you’re Illinois, you take back the All-American big man in a heartbeat. There’s not much frontcourt depth left in the portal and if he goes, they’ll have to hope that Payne is capable of 25 mpg next season at the Big Ten level.
Hopefully, there aren’t any chemistry concerns for this team next season. It was Cockburn and Dosunmu’s team last year and after all of this, could any of the teammates have lingering issues with the star big man? Illinois also with Cockburn would maybe crack the top-25 in preseason polls, whereas Florida State and Kentucky are already inside the group.
Of the three teams, Illinois is least likely to make the Final Four with Cockburn. They won’t be as good as last year’s team and the supporting cast may not fit him as well. Could a change of scenery ultimately be best for him?