Chris Allen/MSU

[CloneState1028]

Michigan State's REALLY struggling this year, for their standards. They've lost to nearly all the ranked teams they've played (besides Washington). I know that they don't generally start out that well in any season and that they do finish very strong, but this start is worse than the norm for them. I wonder if Chris Allen was for them what Jake Anderson has been for us.

 

[Cyclonepride]

If I recall, Izzo commented on how important Chris was to the team after he left. Not sure what happened and why, but it looks like that could be the case. However, Michigan State has a way of looking remarkably average until tournament time.

 

[geburgess]

I don't know, I always view the Big Ten to be overrated in any sport because of the inordinate amount of media coverage they get, and MSU is no different. Maybe Allen was the glue that kept them together in tough moments last year, but with Draymond Green and Kalin Lucas back, I wouldn't expect that to be the case.

All in all, the Big Ten is just not as good as everyone thinks.

 

[Ficklone02]

I think there is some truth to MSU not being as versatile without him...however, there main probelm this year is lack of toughness in the post. Obviously Chris would not be able to help that, but he is a helluva player. But, MSU will have every opportunity to improve because they will play hellacious competition in the Big 10, which is probably the best conference in the nation this year.

 

[bfross]

But, MSU will have every opportunity to improve because they will play hellacious competition in the Big 10, which is probably the best conference in the nation this year.

Maybe by the end of the season it will be, but the Big 10 is 0-5 vs. the Big 12 this season. And the Big East currently has 5 teams in the top 10. Big 10 has looked weak thus far outside of Ohio State.

 

[ISU2007]

Will he play at ISU this year or next year?

Sorry, I have been in a cave for a few months.

 

[CycloneErik]

Will he play at ISU this year or next year?

Sorry, I have been in a cave for a few months.

Next year.

If you really want to stir up excitement, ask about next year's starting lineup :smile:

 

[Knownothing]

In my opinion You always need a guy like Jake Anderson. If you don't then you need a pure shooter. I understand Chris is a pure shooter and can also do many other things. Kind of like Christopherson but better at doing other things. Jake Anderson this year is kind of the glue on our team. Does all of the little things. Sometimes he get's out of control, however he gets 8 rebounds a game. He reminds me a lot of Curtis Stinson.

 

[Bobber]

In my opinion You always need a guy like Jake Anderson. If you don't then you need a pure shooter. I understand Chris is a pure shooter and can also do many other things. Kind of like Christopherson but better at doing other things. Jake Anderson this year is kind of the glue on our team. Does all of the little things. Sometimes he get's out of control, however he gets 8 rebounds a game. He reminds me a lot of Curtis Stinson.

Jake does a lot of little things and I think is somewhat under appreciated. Rebounds and assists are a huge stats for him.

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

Izzo says that they miss him.

Men's basketball notebook: Tom Izzo praises Chris Allen | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register


Before the season, these guys were speculating on the loss.

Rivals.com College Basketball - Can Spartans win Big Ten without Allen?

Summary - it hurts to lose a senior starter that shoots nearly 40% from behind the arc and is the teams best lock down defender, but this is MSU, they will be fine.

 

[Rural]

Things don't appear too rosy at MSU which may explain a couple things.
Allen was asked to leave so it must not have been all on him.
Izzo, out of the blue, suddenly starts flirting with the NBA.
Something's up.

 

[bpmcclain]

MSU always plays a brutal non-conference schedule and usually struggles early on, but they get better as the year goes on and they will be a team you dont want to see in March. This year shouldnt be any different. Though Im sure they could use Allen right about now

 

[ISUFan22]

In Izzo's tenure, he has never kicked a player off the team. He has stated a few times they miss Chris Allen. It seems to be ringing true.

For me, that's very significant...coaches - especially one like Izzo - don't just boot guys off a team for nothing.

I'm hopeful Chris can be a positive addition to our program - both on and off the court.

 

[jahfg]

In Izzo's tenure, he has never kicked a player off the team. He has stated a few times they miss Chris Allen. It seems to be ringing true.

For me, that's very significant...coaches - especially one like Izzo - don't just boot guys off a team for nothing.

I'm hopeful Chris can be a positive addition to our program - both on and off the court.

I don't think Izzo had as much of a problem with Allen as his teammates did. Izzo had to put his team before Allen.

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

In Izzo's tenure, he has never kicked a player off the team. He has stated a few times they miss Chris Allen. It seems to be ringing true.

For me, that's very significant...coaches - especially one like Izzo - don't just boot guys off a team for nothing.

I'm hopeful Chris can be a positive addition to our program - both on and off the court.

The rumors surrounding Allen's departure were that he and teammate Durrell Summers got in a fist fight. The RUMORED reason for the fight was that one or the other slept with the other's gf and got her pregnant. If that is true, I can see how it would be nearly impossible for both players to stay on the same team.

These rumors are on message boards so take them with a grain of salt.

 

[heitclone]

Im not underplaying the impact of Allen leaving but never, never,never judge a Tom Izzo coached team until late March. As good a program as MSU is, its not unusual for them to not hit their stride til later in the season. I think if MSU were undefeated no one would be talking about Chris Allen. And like others have mentioned, the big 10 is showing its true colors as a paper tiger. It's a 2 horse race between MSU/OSU, with a few more "pretty good" teams, its nowhere near the juggernaut its own network(and then the rest of the media) thought it was 2 weeks ago.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

A lot has been made of Allen being the only player that Izzo has "booted" from the team as an indication of the severity of Allen's issue with MSU (and vis versa). In reality, not much can be drawn from it. Players have "left" MSU in the same way DMac "resigned" from ISU.

Izzo apparently needed things to change on his team or someone would need to leave.
It is not that Allen committed the worst off-court (or on court) difficulties that Izzo has had.

 

[mkadl]

I don't know, I always view the Big Ten to be overrated in any sport because of the inordinate amount of media coverage they get, and MSU is no different. Maybe Allen was the glue that kept them together in tough moments last year, but with Draymond Green and Kalin Lucas back, I wouldn't expect that to be the case.

All in all, the Big Ten is just not as good as everyone thinks.

Wait until Nebraska joins next year, things will change. The Big 10 just got tougher.

 

[CycloneErik]

With the color combination, it just struck me that MSU at Devaney is like Christmas in Nebraska for the Spartans.

With the opponent, it's like having Christmas twice.