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Chris Allen will not be returning for his senior year at Michigan State.The Spartans guard, who has been in limbo for most of the offseason, has been dismissed from the team for failing to "meet all obligations" set for him, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said in a statement.
"It's been no secret that Chris Allen's been in a tenuous positions since the spring," Izzo said in the statement. "There were multiple obligations that Chris had to meet in order to return for his senior season. While he did make progress ... he has failed to meet all the obligations and will not be part of our program this fall."
Allen, who was suspended for Michigan State's Big Ten tournament loss to Minnesota for "violating team policy," was reinstated for the NCAA tournament, but played through a foot injury and a cloud of speculation about his future.
Now it's clear his future will be at a school other than Michigan State.
"I know he's going to be a great player," Izzo said. He deserves another chance to play basketball somewhere, but it's in everyone's interest that it be somewhere other than Michigan State. "
On the court, Allen is a very valuable player. The guard averaged 8.2 points per game last season as a junior during the Spartans' second straight season ending in a Final Four berth. He also shot 39.8 percent from behind the 3-point arc and was generally known as MSU's best perimeter defender, often counted upon to lock down the opposing team's best scorer. Assuming he wants to continue his basketball career, there will likely be several suitors lining up to take him on as a transfer.
Izzo indicated maturity issues played a part in the dismissal.
"Like every player, he has to mature a little bit," Izzo said. "I think a year away from the game will be beneficial for his development as a person and a player."
As for Michigan State, it is relatively well-equipped to handle the removal of an integral part of last season's team. With Kalin Lucas, Korie Lucious and Durrell Summers -- in addition to incoming freshman Keith Appling, rated as a top-five shooting guard by most outlets -- the Spartans are as loaded as anyone in the backcourt even without Allen. They will miss his one-on-one defensive skills for certain, but it appears they are going to make up for that in several other areas.
Look for the Spartans to still end up ranked in the top three of all preseason polls and have a great shot at making the Final Four for the third consecutive season.
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