Teddy Allen will be secret weapon for WVU basketball team
When scrolling through the WVU basketball roster there may be some interesting faces that pop up.
For the past few years, it was common to see Nathan Adrian and even Tarik Phillip as guys whose faces were commonplace on the roster. They have since moved on and there are now younger players coming in to take their vacated spots.
One of these new guys who many fans may not know yet is Teddy Allen. He’s an odd case for a WVU basketball player as he hails from Arizona. Aside from Ken Kendrick being the owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Rich Rodriguez currently coaching the University of Arizona football team, there are not many ties to that region from the Mountain State.
Teddy Allen comes to the WVU basketball team by way of Nebraska where he played high school ball at Boys Town High School. There, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year. Allen was recruited by Nebraska-Omaha, Cincinnati, DePaul and Iowa State before he chose the Mountaineers. One of the reasons he chose the WVU basketball team, according to Omaha.com, was the respect Bob Huggins commands for his player. It seems like he, too, will earn his keep in the eyes of the legendary head coach.
"“It was hard to find something I didn’t like,’’ Allen told Omaha.com. “The school, the guys, the coach. The guys would do anything for Coach. “It’s obviously going to be a challenge. It’s one of the best programs, but it’s a challenge I’m ready for and to embrace,’’ Allen said. “As a player, I always want to be challenged, and West Virginia is second to not very many. It’s a great opportunity and one I couldn’t pass up.”"
It’s only been one exhibition game, but Bob Huggins is showing that he has faith in Allen to adapt right away to the Mountaineers’ style of play. Impressive was the fact that Allen seemed to put his own spin on things while conforming to the rest of his teammates in the win against Albany.
If fans don’t know Allen, they certainly know a player he is drawing comparisons to. According to Blue Gold News, Teddy Allen might just be the next Da’Sean Butler.
"“I was slower when I was a kid, so I think that affected my game,” Allen said in a story by Matt Keller. “I have always just used fakes around the rim. I always played organized basketball, so it isn’t (a playground style). They say my game resembles Da’Sean, and he’s always in the gym. He’s a good mentor for me.”"
Against Albany, Allen finished with 15 points and was one of four players who scored in double figures for the WVU basketball team. Allen was reported to have somewhat of a “playground style” with jukes, jives and pump fakes as a big part of his offensive game. It’s not totally what fans have been used to seeing from certain WVU basketball players, but it may be a nice sideshow for the team on offense.
If Allen can play defense, he will see the floor and thrive on the offensive end. He should see some decent playing time this season as the Mountaineers figure out their best sets and what works best for them.
Next: Bob Huggins, WVU best dressed at Media Day
Teddy Allen may not be the most familiar player on the WVU basketball roster, but he could turn into a lovable threat for this new era under Bob Huggins.