The freshman entered the transfer portal after an up and down year in the lineup.
It’s always disappointing when a promising freshman enters the transfer portal.
Such is the way of College Basketball these days where player movement is hitting an all time high. Even with great culture and a coach players seem to revere, Missouri isn’t safe from defections. Yes, that’s plural. We’ll get to Peyton Marshall, but today we’re going to talk about Marcus Allen.
When the Florida native entered the transfer portal, there was a fair amount of consternatoini amongst fans. After all, Allen led the highly touted freshman class in games played (22), minutes played (238), field goals made (14), three pointers made (2), free throws made (30), and free throw percentage (88.2%)… virtually every statistical category other than blocked shots.
But while Allen found the easiest path, of all his freshmen counterparts, towards contributing to this year’s team, his role was simple and straight forward. Come into the game when called upon, defende, rebound, make some shots around the rim, and don’t turn the ball over. He just wasn’t asked to do a lot on the offensive end of the floor and was rarely caught looking at the basket.
In fact his two most primary offensive actions seemed to be getting fouled, turning the ball over, or moving the ball for someone else to take a shot. He finished the season with a 16.3% usage rate, with a free throw rate of 82.9% and a turnover rate of 22.2%.
Now free throw rate isn’t simply how many of your possessions end with you attempting free throws, it’s just a simple equation of free throw attempts divided by field goal attempts.
So here are where Allen landed in each of those three categories:
- Turnovers: 15
- Field Goal attempts: 41
- Free Throw attempts: 34
- Possessions: ~70
Marcus scored 68 points, his offensive rating per KenPom.com ended up around 113.5, which is obviously higher than the raw numbers above. Mostly because players do get some credit for offensive rebounds, and assists… it’s complicated formula. But the overall takeaway here is Allen was a little under-developed offensively.
The question then became, what sort of player was Marcus Allen? We knew, and could see, that he was a good defender. His ability to absorb and apply a scouting report was evident each time he was tasked with defending any oppositing player, but the offensive repetoire was lacking.
Allen saw action in just 26 games and was a forgettable factor offensively. So then what position was he going to play next year?
Mark Mitchell was very entrenched at the four spot, he’s also backed up by Jevon Porter and Trent Pierce who are both able to stretch and play other positions, and chip in offensively. Allen hinted he saw himself more as a wing than a four, maybe that’s the case, but you’re going to want more offense from a wing than what Allen’s provided.
This isn’t to talk down a player who entered the portal, but the reality of Allen’s position looking at the roster going into next year. Was Missouri going to be the best fit for him? He certainly joined the roster with a longer term outlook, and perhaps he could have stayed and developed, ultimately being in position to be the starter at the 4 after next season. Ultimately, he’s going to seek out a new home where hopefully he’ll see a clearer path to the floor than what was offered in Columbia. Perhaps even on the wing.
JV Brown
JV Brown also entered the transfer portal. Brown was in Columbia for two seasons and played just three minutes this past season. He attempted one shot against Mississippi Valley State, he missed that shot. Such is the life of a walk-on.
Danny Stephens
Danny Stephens also entered the portal after two years at Mizzou. Stephens and Mizzou women’s basketball player Abby Schreake have long been an item, and so Stephens followed Schreake when she committed to play for Missouri a few years ago. Stephens redshirted last season, and did not play at all this year as he battled a wrist inury.
For both Brown and Stephens the rules around walk-ons have shifted a bit as the NCAA moves to a 15 person scholarship limit for men’s basketball. So they both entered the transfer portal. Good luck to all three players as they search for a new home.