WVU basketball: Finding Teddy Allen’s role in 2018-19

Teddy Allen was a curious case for the WVU basketball team last season. He had several highs but also suffered through many lows.

He has the ability to take over a game and he can drive to the hoop as well as any player of his size and stature. His maturity level has come into question several times, most notably when he was sitting the bench at the early parts of the Big 12 Conference slate.

Bob Huggins knows what he’s doing when managing his main lineup and there was a reason why Allen did not play against Texas Tech and Kansas, the WVU basketball team’s first two losses in the Big 12 portion of the regular season.

Allen came back eventually but he didn’t seem to have the same impact that he did against Oklahoma State to open Big 12 play when he scored 15 points. In that game against OSU, six WVU basketball players reached double figures.

That was the first game where Allen made a huge impact and it could have been because he was still a mystery to opposing teams. Once he got his feet wet and saw what he could do, the early success may have went to his head. He thought he could do it all on his own and Huggins made sure to nip that in the bud.

There was talk going around that Allen may transfer because he was unhappy with the way Huggins treated him during that stretch in early January. That still might happen, but if he comes to his senses he will realize that Huggins can make him into a superstar, like Jevon Carter, if he keeps his head on straight and focuses on getting better each day.

Next season, Allen has a golden opportunity to seize a starting role but there will be no shortage of competition. Allen could take the spot of Daxter Miles, but newcomers Trey Doomes and Jordan McCabe will also be gunning for that spot.

Allen needs to improve on his perimeter shooting. He should focus on getting the jumpsuits down because he is already a talented ball handler and penetrator. If Allen does stay, he will definitely be a regular in the rotation. He will dictate his own playing time.

Next: All-time WVU basketball team

Huggins enjoys having as much depth as possible and he will be blessed to have several guards ready to step in to replace the departing Miles and Carter.