Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
Reddit
Newsvine
Twitter
EAST LANSING - Chris Allen had an interesting Monday night. He shared the team's defensive player award with Raymar Morgan at Michigan State's annual banquet - an honor few would have predicted for Allen before the season.
Then he spoke with reporters for the first time since Tom Izzo suspended him for Friday's Big Ten Tournament loss to Minnesota.
"Me and coach had a little argument," Allen said of what led to Izzo's decision last Tuesday morning. "He had some words, I had some words. I had some words some more. And that's what happened."
Too many words?
"Too many words, yeah," Allen said. "That's what happened and bygones be bygones. We talked about it, we had a nice couple meetings. So I mean, it's all good now, we're ready to get it rolling."
The Spartans, the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, will take on No. 12 seed New Mexico State on Friday at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash. Izzo called the Aggies "dangerous" Monday after watching hours of film of a team with lots of backcourt athleticism and shooting.
It's the kind of backcourt - with 6-foot-5 Jahmar Young (20.5 points per game) and 6-1 Jonathan Gibson (17.5 ppg) - that will test the Spartans' guards.
It's the kind of game that will require Allen and fellow junior Durrell Summers to be on the floor and on the ball.
"I mean, when they're on top of their game, the sky's the limit for the team," Morgan said of Allen and Summers. "They're so athletic, they can do so many things."
On the same night Allen watched the Minnesota loss in street clothes, Summers was benched for overtime and much of the second half. He said little after the game and did not speak with reporters Monday after the banquet.
They are different cases. Allen's off-the-court transgression aside, he has bought in and been one of MSU's most improved players this season.
Summers, though, has not matched his preseason hype and has been benched twice in the past month.
"How did he respond (to the benching)? I think he responded like all guys (aged) 20 would respond. Not real happy," Izzo said of Summers. "And I had to remind him that I'm not real happy either.
"So it's a mutual situation but I think he responded (Sunday) night with, when I said, 'You know what, we're gonna have a new start here and see if we can grow from here.' And I think he will, he has improved in some areas."
Allen said he and Summers, who are roommates along with Kalin Lucas, need to "grow up as young men and basketball players." He also said watching the Minnesota game changed his perspective.
"It was just hurtful. I was just hurting," Allen said. "It humbled me a lot. I see what I've got to do. I've got to pick up the slack on my end and just be better all around."
