Chris Allen Transforms into a Cyclone
by KJ@theonlycolors on Aug 20, 2010 9:11 AM CDT
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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PrintChris Allen is reportedly headed to Iowa State to play out his final year of college basketball eligibility (after sitting out a year). Allen had also considered playing at UTEP and St. John's.
Former Cyclone star Fred Hoiberg was named the new head coach at Iowa State earlier this year. Coming off a 4-12 finish in Big 12 play this past season, the Cyclones are clearly in rebuilding mode. Their top two offensive stars both departed following last season (Marquis Gilstrap graduated; Craig Brackins left for the NBA) and it appears the team will have four seniors in its playing rotation this season, so the opportunity will definitely be there for Allen to be a major contributor when he's able to take the court. As noted in Sam Hosey's article, fellow former Big Tenners Chris Babb and Royce White will be joining Allen in Ames.
We still don't really understand the dynamics that led to Tom Izzo dismissing Allen, but he certainly worked hard to become a better player at MSU, and we wish him the best of luck as he continues his college career elsewhere.
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A lot to prove
I wouldn’t bet the mortage on Royce White joining anyone on the court as a college basketball player anywhere. That guy has redeeming to do ala Chris Allen x 10.
Good place for Chris to land.
He’ll get a lot of shots next year, and ISU could make a bit of noise in the Big 12.
Best of luck to him.
Still amazed
When I see the quotes from Chris and his mom, I’m still amazed at how positive they are about MSU and Coach Izzo. And I guess what that tells me is that whatever it was that Chris did (or didn’t do) was bad enough where the Allens understand and accept the decision to dismiss him. They clearly don’t feel that they have been treated unfairly, which just speaks volumes about the way Coach Izzo handles this program.
by Ducking Delvon on Aug 20, 2010 12:56 PM CDT reply actions
Lisa Byington
Allen: “I have probably talked to Coach Izzo more in the last 3 weeks than in the last 3 years”. Decision came down to Iowa State and UTEP
Allen: “It’s not common for a guy to transfer and (the relationship) to be this cool”
Chris Allen: (if #msu makes run in tourney) “I will be all for it — I will be somewhere watching in my #msu stuff”
You really can’t overstate what an effective, classy manager of personnel Tom Izzo is.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Aug 20, 2010 8:26 PM CDT reply actions
Classy kid too
Whatever Allen did, and I’ve heard some of the rumors and have my own thoughts on the topic, his departure has been very smooth and classy. I’ve seen a lot of comments talking about how this shows what a great program Izzo has and how much of a stand up guy he is. Well, this “breakup” has two sides, and the both have been very impressive. Whatever Allen did he is not going to drag MSU or Izzo through the mud, and seems determined to work hard at his next destination. I’m going to be rooting for him.
Thanks for adding this...
I couldn’t agree more, as I have been incredibly impressed with Chris Allen’s graceful exit and his ability, at least publicly, to take this in stride. It has to be mortifying to be released from a team in the national limelight like this, for there to be widespread innuendo concerning the reasons behind your departure, etc., and yet he has stayed clear of spite and disputation. Whatever the circumstances, that is a sign of some maturation, and I really wish him all the best as a Cyclone.
by RobbingGormanThomas on Aug 23, 2010 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
new Allen
Glad to see that Chris found a place to play. A little suprised he’s so far from home in GA, but I hope it works out for him. Hopefully he can finish his degree, too.
However, we have a new Allen to be on campus shortly – #15 ranked HS FB center in the country, Jake Allen. I’m pumped, where’s his Welcome post?!?!
Im a bit confused
I would have gone to UTEP, fast paced, offensively inclined and a better shot at the NCAA tourney than Iowa State. Plus I feel like a great UTEP season couldve turned him into an NBA pick.
Ooonst ooonst muthafucka!
I think the key
to him developing into an NBA pick is for him to be the focal point of team for a whole season. With an extra year to practice, I think he’s got a good shot of being the star on Iowa State’s team next year. Although, I also thought he’d go somewhere closer to home…..
Don't post rumors about the reasons for Allen's departure.
I hate to be authoritarian about this, but I just deleted one comment, and will do it again if necessary. We have no concrete information about what happened, and we’re not going to have this site host rumors on the subject. All that’s left to do is thank Chris for his role in the resurgence of MSU basketball, and wish him luck in Ames.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
I've been very impressed with Allen's behavior throughout.
There has been no sense that he ever had the “Why is this happening to me?” attitude. He clearly did something that put him beyond the point of no return, and decided to deal with the consequences maturely. Allen seems like a kid who’s going to learn something from this whole situation. When you do something terrible (and I think we’ve all done something terrible), all you can do is accept that you’ve done it, try to do whatever you can to atone, and be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices. I sure as hell didn’t have that figured out by junior year of college, so I have a lot of respect for a guy who does.
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