Twitter yields no net change in Chris Allen's status

by KJ@theonlycolors on Jul 11, 2010 10:25 PM CDT in Michigan State Spartans Basketball

1. Chris Allen tells WILX today that "It's all good everything is fine and this is just all rumors you heard it hear from me."

2. It's important to note that Tom Izzo said after the season that the decision might not be the players and we haven't heard from Izzo on this subject.

WLNS's Lisa Byington:

1. talked to #izzo on road recruiting. Izzo says "nothing has changed and (Allen) still has some things to prove both on & off the court"

2. #izzo stressed to me that Chris Allen's status is still very much in limbo. and it will be izzo and not Allen who decides if he is on roster

So there's some first-hand confirmation of what we basically already knew: Chris Allen is not leaving the team of his own volition. But Tom Izzo is not yet fully convinced Allen has done everything he needs to do to remain a part of the team.

This post may technically qualify as an "Obsessing Over Nonnews in July" TOC entry, but I think Allen's status is worthy of obsessing over. While he's still yet to ever become the consistent outside scoring threat he was expected to be coming into the MSU program, Allen has developed into something maybe even more important: A solid, near-lockdown-level perimeter defender. And there's not another one of those on the Spartan roster at this point.

Outside of the offensive playmaking abilities of Kalin Lucas (outside) and Draymond Green (inside), Allen's perimeter defense would arguably be the hardest individual skill to replace on the current roster. Durrell Summers' scoring ability will be a key part of the team's success, but the team also have other players who can knock down 3-pointers. Delvon Roe's going to be a rugged, experienced presence down low, but the bench will go fairly deep in the post.

The bottom line is that Chris Allen, along with the four guys referenced in the previous paragraph, projects to get starter-level minutes next season. From a basketball perspective, his loss would be substantial, leaving a much finer margin of error for MSU to contend for Big Ten and NCAA Tournament success. So we'll keep obsessing.

UPDATE: Rexrode has a little more. Allen participating in team workouts again. Sounds like a decision will be made late in August, between the summer and fall semesters.

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Lansing Moneyball Pro-Am League

According to a previous post, Allen is in a tournament on a team with several other MSU hoops players in this event.

Do we know if he’s played? And if so, how has he done? I’m having difficulty finding any stats or info.

Thanks!

by MSUDersh on Jul 11, 2010 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

Seems like Izzo is keeping Allen on a short leash, but I’d be very surprised if Chris Allen wasn’t playing for the Spartans this year. I equate this as marginally good news considering it isn’t Allen considering transferring (although that was mentioned before. Nice to hear it confirmed).

by TMadison25 on Jul 12, 2010 7:51 AM CDT reply actions

I had the sense

When Allen hung in the background at Izzo’s press conference, I had the sense that he was doing so because he was uncomfortable with his status with Izzo rather than making a statement that he was ready to leave. With this latest news, it makes sense. He showed Izzo that he cared by being in the audience, but he didn’t bring on an awkward moment. Hopefully he is clear about what he needs to do on and off the court to earn his way back on to the team, and is working to do so.

by donaldo on Jul 12, 2010 8:13 AM CDT reply actions

Old-school Izzo

It is almost refreshing to hear Izzo say that Allen has work to do to earn his way onto the court. For a number of reasons, coaches are often afraid to do this. Imagine if you’re a 17-year-old kid picking a school to play at and you see that Izzo benches Allen or even Lucas this past year for not fulfilling their duties. That could very well drive you off. Kudos to Izzo for being a true coach. I’m not saying that he’s the only coach that would do this, but there are definitely some that wouldn’t.

by nationgreen on Jul 12, 2010 8:46 AM CDT reply actions

Hope it is resolved soon

I would prefer that Allen be on the team. As you note he is our best perimeter defender and also had the highest percentage from 3 point land last year. I think we would miss his outside shooting and defense.

I have no idea what he did to get in Izzo’s doghouse, but it must have been something serious. I really wish Izzo would make up his mind already, not because I want the situation resolved as a fan but because Allen has a year of eligibility left, and Izzo should not leave him dangling indefinitely. Anything Allen did, short of something that would bring major NCAA sactions down on the program, can’t possibly deserve messing with his academic and playing future. He deserves to know whether he will have to transfer somewhere else, or be back as a Spartan, in time to enroll for fall classes either at MSU or wherever he transfers to.

by TheCrestedHelm on Jul 12, 2010 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

See update above based on Rexrode post

For MSUDersh: Apparently, Allen made his comments after playing in the Moneyball league this weekend.

Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!

by KJ@theonlycolors on Jul 12, 2010 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

grades

if academics are a part of the picture then some of his earning his way back might be tied to his grades in the second summer semester. That would explain some of the waiting to make the final decision.

by mmwhitman on Jul 12, 2010 11:53 AM CDT reply actions