Izzo: Chris Allen removed from basketball team

Lauren Wood | The State News

Junior guard Chris Allen and senior forward Raymar Morgan express their frustration at a call the referees made in the second half of MSU’s first-round NCAA Tournament game at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

After a summer of speculation, MSU announced Tuesday that senior guard Chris Allen will not return to the men’s basketball program for the 2010-11 season.

“It’s been no secret that Chris Allen’s been in a tenuous position since the spring,” Izzo said in a statement. “There were multiple obligations that Chris had to meet in order to return for his senior season. While he did make progress through the summer, he has failed to meet all the obligations and will not be a part of our program this fall.

“I know he’s going to be a great player. He deserves another chance to play basketball somewhere, but it’s in everyone’s interest that it be somewhere other than Michigan State. Like every player, he has to mature a little bit. I think a year away from the game will be beneficial for his development as a person and a player.”

Allen previously was suspended prior to the Big Ten Tournament and his status with the team was up in the air this summer. He said he understood the decision to remove him from the team.

“Coach was straight-forward with me about what I needed to do to remain a part of the team,” Allen said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I didn’t meet all the obligations. I have enjoyed my time at Michigan State and I appreciate all the support from my fans, and everyone associated with the program. It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out, but I’m leaving on good terms with my teammates and coaches.”

Allen’s status with the team had been up in the air since the team’s Final Four loss to Butler, but things seemed to be improving when he rejoined the team at practice and took summer classes. But clearly Allen was not doing enough in Izzo’s eyes.

Izzo and Allen had not quite seen eye-to-eye during his first two years at MSU. However, Allen stepped up his defensive game last year and had earned praise all season from Izzo about the completeness of his game.

Allen averaged 8.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists and shot 39 percent from 3-point range in 25.5 minutes per game last season along with being a key defensive contributor.

Allen was set to return with fellow senior guards Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers and help the Spartans compete for a third consecutive Final Four and a national championship.

Izzo previously had said he believed the three seniors could go down as the best guard class in MSU history.

Despite the loss, the Spartans have plenty of options to replace Allen. Junior guard Korie Lucious helped lead the Spartans to last season’s Final Four when Lucas was lost for the season with an ruptured Achilles’ tendon.

The Spartans also have two freshmen who could help ease Allen’s loss. Freshman guard Keith Appling, the 2010 Mr. Basketball in Michigan should contribute. And although he’s coming off May foot surgery, freshman guard Russel Byrd might see more playing time now as well.