By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher
Iowa State just might have the best scout team in college basketball history next season.
Former Michigan State guard Chris Allen has committed to Fred Hoiberg’s new-look Iowa State program. Allen, who averaged 8.2 points per game for Michigan State, chose Iowa State over former Cyclone head coach Tim Floyd and UTEP. Allen led the Spartans in 3-point shooting last season, knocking down 53 on the season.
“The coaching staff was great when I went on my visit. I really gelled with those guys. It felt right,” Allen told CycloneFanatic.com this morning.
Allen especially bonded with Iowa State associate head coach T.J. Otzelberger, his primary recruiter.
“The first time that he called me, we had a positive connection,” Allen said. “I could tell that he cared about me. It was great.”
Allen joins three other future Cyclones who have transferred to Iowa State since Hoiberg took over. Anthony Booker (Southern Illinois), Chris Babb (Penn State) and Royce White (Minnesota, to be determined) will also sit next season out, in preparation for what could be a special 2011 season.
“I think that we can be really good, definite contenders. We’ll change the program back around,” Allen said. “It is going to be fun. I’m going to get to gel with those guys. We’ll get to play with each other every day. It will be a good time.”
Allen especially hit it off with Booker on his visit.
“Ever since I left my visit, we’ve talked every day,” Allen said. “When I was there, we hung out a lot. He’s a good player. We talked a lot about our situations. He’s a likeable kid.”
“When I found out that Chris Babb and Royce White were going to be there, it was crazy.”
Allen told CycloneFanatic.com that he’ll arrive in Ames this evening. He’ll be present at Iowa State’s fan fest event on Sunday night and will start classes in Ames on Monday.
