Chris Allen To Iowa State Would Benefit Both Parties

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Michigan State Spartans made an arduous judgment excusing would-of-been senior guard Chris Allen. Reportedly, the phone was ringing off the hook once Tom Izzo excuses Allen from his duties as a Spartan.

It is not stunning to realize that either. He was a key element to the Final Four run with the Spartans last season. His leadership, defense and three-point shooting ability would enhance any team in America.

Under Tom Izzo, Allen was able to develop and tweak a few skills on his way towards full potential.

Allen could perchance take his talents to a selection of schools. However, one thing is evident—Allen will not play basketball anywhere in Michigan.

The first stop on his college journey was with Fred Hoiberg and the Iowa State Cyclones.

The Cyclones are facing a significant problem. They lost so much this past season and collared one promising piece of the puzzle. With a new coach, hardly any talent and facing one of the toughest basketball conferences in America, the Cyclones are clearly in for a tough test.

Royce White was the first talented transfer to answer their cries for help. He was one of the top wing players in the county coming out of high school. Instead of attending other colleges, he elected to stay home and play basketball with the Gophers. 

He got into legal trouble, quit the team and now is an Iowa State Cyclone.

According to NCAA rules he is not allowed to play this season but will be suiting up for the Cyclones during the 11-12' season. Now, if you add Chris Allen, the Cyclones could have a special roster.

The Cyclones have done a decent job with their 2011 recruiting class by acquiring Elgin Cook one of the hottest wing players in the country. They have also gained the attention of a few more High School stars that could identify Ames, Iowa as home.

With Allen, White and Cook the Cyclones could be out of the slump in no time. Allen would bring leadership and complete scoring ability. With the Spartans, they were consistently a strong team. They grappled a second-unit that could start for most college programs. Not to mention, Keith Appling was not helping the cause either.

With the Cyclones, Allen would seize maximum flexibility to score in bunches. He almost shot 40 percent from three last season, and he could do that for the Cyclones.

He and his mother both agreed with enrolling now, so he could be allowed to play in ‘11-12.

However, the deadline to enroll in fall classes is creeping up on Allen. He has reportedly only visited Iowa State, and I suppose they have the best chance of landing Former-Mr. Georgia.

That would set up a place for him to showcase his full potential and potentially overwhelm NBA scouts throughout his final year as a Collegiate Athlete.


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Former Michigan State Guard Chris Allen Visits Iowa State

Posted by CoHoops Paul Seaver

After being dismissed from the team last week, former Michigan State guard Chris Allen, has begun the search for a new school.

Reports have indicated that Allen will be leaving Michigan State in search for a new program to continue his collegiate career. CBS Sports' Gary Parrish has reported that Allen visited Iowa State on Monday.
Tom Izzo dismissed the 6-foot-3 guard from the team for not living up to team expectations. Iowa State who has introduced Fred Hoiberg as their new head coach this past off season and would most likely love the services of Allen, a proven defender at the guard position.

Chris Allen has also appeared to have some interest from South Florida, Notre Dame, and Connecticut in the past week.

Allen has one more year of eligibility and if he transfer to another Division I school will have to sit out the 2010-2011 season before being eligible in 2011-2012.

After averging just over 8 points per game, Allen will likely search for a situation where he can improve and take advantage of his one remaining year.



*Photo: Chris Allen *Credit: nj.com

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College Basketball Rumors: Chris Allen to Rock UConn Blue In 11-12?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Former Michigan State guard Chris Allen was reported to transfer to a different school mid-season. He was later suspended before the Big Ten Tournament loss to Minnesota for violating team policy. Head Coach Tom Izzo wasn't optimistic about it and neither were fans in East Lansing.

It wasn't like Allen did anything to cool down the rumors either. But it never withheld him from putting on a Spartan uniform. After the Big Ten Tournament, Allen boxed out the rumors and played basketball.

Despite the injured foot, Allen was a key element to the Spartans Final Four run.

Nonetheless, after the loss to Butler, the speculation began to sluggishly elevate again but this time around Tom Izzo responded. There was really a few ways to go about this. Izzo considered by dismissing Allen, it would benefit the Spartans the most.

For those who don't consider it's a big deal, Allen is the first player dismissed in the "Izzo era" at Michigan State.

However, following his departure, the 6-foot-3 guard started going through the recruitment process once again.

According to his mother and a few other sources, a lot of teams are buzzing about the possibility of landing Allen. She started off by naming a Big East school and then said Connecticut.

In response, a source close to the Huskies' stated that nobody from the Connecticut coaching staff contacted Allen about transferring.

Either way, the speculation continues to grow as it did mid-season. Allen could transfer to select places in the Big East or Conference USA. Picking the right fit for him is beneficial. After this year there will not be any other transfers, just a departure.

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Goodbye Chris Allen and Hello Keith Appling

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The Spartans always seem to have talent and depth under Head Coach Tom Izzo. It's a fact; every player that stays all four years with Izzo will have the opportunity to play in the Final Four.

That is one beneficial recruiting approach that athletes dream of to be a part of. In addition, he has also raised a banner and improved his players tremendously.

Last season, the Spartans had to deal with Lucas being injured for sometime through Big Ten play. Then they had to play without him throughout the rest of the NCAA tournament.

However, Lucious and the rest of the Spartans stepped up and reached the Final Four without their lead guard Lucas.

Everything about last season was good for the Spartans, well except one thing.

During last season, Chris Allen was whispered to perhaps transfer schools. That rubbed Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo the wrong way. Remember, Allen was suspended for the Big Ten tournament opener. Izzo stated, "It's about being a better teammate." "Believe me, I'm not saying much more about it."

During the past months, it has grown into more than whispers that would result in him actually transferring or dismissed from the team.

Both Tom Izzo and Allen made statements that would silence all the rumors. Allen would be dismissed from the team and according to Fox Sports he is the first player in the Izzo era to be dismissed.

That’s definitely not a good thing to hold on to—especially a player of Allen's caliber.

I really hope his career didn't end here with the Spartans. He does have a final year of eligibility left and could transfer somewhere else.

However, saying goodbye to Allen isn't that hard when Izzo lured in a player like Keith Appling.

Keith Appling will step right in and fill the void. He is a bit undersized for the shooting guard position but his scoring ability off the wing is beneficial.

He also has the ability to transform into an elite point guard with the assistance of Tom Izzo.

Allen's contributions meant a lot when he was on the court, but Appling will help Spartan fans get over the loss of him really quick.

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