Pete DiPrimio, sports columnist and college beat writer for The News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind., takes his best shots on the world of Hoosier basketball.

Wednesday, August 22

Allen To Transfer?

It looks like Ben Allen has played his last basketball game for Indiana.

All signs point that Allen, a native of Australia, will not return and join the Hoosiers. Instead, he's expected to transfer, perhaps to St. Mary's in California.

Allen, who had spent part of the summer playing for the Australian national team, was set to return to Bloomington later this week. Classes will begin on Monday.

Allen, who has two years of eligibility remaining, seemed headed for a redshirt season considering the depth IU has inside, including seniors D.J. White, Mike White and Lance Stemler, plus newcomers DeAndre Thomas, Brandon McGee and Eli Holman.

Allen averaged less than one point and two rebounds a game last season while adapting to coach Kelvin Sampson's system. The 6-11 Allen was more of a perimeter player. Sampson wanted him to be more of a strong inside presence.

There has been no official IU announcement.

4 Comments:

Blogger Matt said...

Pete, do you feel like this is a pretty definite thing or are you just hearing that Ben is thinking things over? Thanks.

Not trying to downplay this but this is not a huge loss IMO. Saying that I saw some things at the end of the year that made me think that Allen could give us some quality spot duty. Good luck to him in whatever he decides.

3:52 PM, August 22, 2007

 
Blogger Pete DiPrimio said...

Matt: As I write in the next blog, nothing is etched in stone when it comes to Indiana basketball, but figure Ben will soon be moving on.

5:41 AM, August 23, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pete,

Congrats on scooping everyone else on the Allen transfer story! Time & again, you demonstrate that you're one of the best writers and reporters out there. The only downside to that is, how much longer until a larger market realizes that and takes you from us?!

10:55 AM, August 24, 2007

 
Blogger Pete DiPrimio said...

Barry, thanks for the kind words.

8:05 AM, August 26, 2007

 

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