The Lansing State Journal is reporting today that Michigan State junior guard Chris Allen has been suspended for the Spartans’ opening game in the Big Ten Tournament on Friday. This action comes as a result of, according to the cited article, “the cumulative effect of academic problems.” Head coach Tom Izzo noted that it’s possible Allen could play in the Spartans’ second game if they get by Thursday’s Minnesota/Penn State winner.
This might seem like a minor issue, basketball-wise, but it’s worth noting that Allen is often asked to guard the opposing team’s best player. Consider also that, of the Spartans who play regularly, Allen is the team’s leading three-point shooter at 40.8%, providing a service at which his team as a whole does not excel. MSU shoots 33.4%, which is 8th in the Big Ten and 208th in the nation.
Izzo’s MSU teams almost always over-achieve in the post-season, and it sounds like the other Spartans will have to do so without a top defender and outside shooter for at least one game. We’ll wait and see if this “cumulative” problem is adequately addressed with a single-game benching in Izzo’s eyes. If Izzo is already mentioning that Allen could play in the second tournament game, though, then he probably will.
(h/t: @dgoneil1)