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Jarrett Allen Grabs Award After Monster Week – Should He Stay or Go?

By James Caldwell

Dec 27, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Golden Flashes won 63-58. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Golden Flashes won 63-58. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monday Update: Jarrett Allen was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after posting two double-doubles against Baylor and Kansas.

Allen averaged 19.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in Texas’s losses to the top-ranked Big 12 teams. Allen is one of the bright spots for Texas Basketball in an otherwise down season as Shaka Smart rebuilds the team.

Sunday Report: Texas Freshman Jarrett Allen Facing Tough Decision on Texas Basketball Future

Jarrett Allen logged an impressive statline in his first trip to Lawrence, Kansas against the top-ranked Jayhawks on Saturday.

22 points. 19 rebounds – seven offensive. 3 Blocks. Only 1 Personal Foul in 34 minutes. But, there’s another item on the statline – 6 turnovers.

Allen looks much more comfortable halfway through his freshman season at Texas. However, for every impressive clean block, there is a maddening turnover. For every dropstep, Hakeem Olajuwon-like spin move in the paint, there is an errant pass or shot.

Allen ranked #1 in Texas’ most recent recruiting class because he is unbelievably skilled. But, he has to become more assertive and decisive to thrive against tougher competition. Therefore, it appears that Allen is not ready for the NBA as a one-and-done player.

Jarrett Allen Needs Matt Coleman

We’ll never know how different Texas’ season would be if they had a true Point Guard. We’ll also never know how monstrous of a freshman season Allen could have had with a true PG setting him.

But, there is an opportunity to find out next season when star PG Matt Coleman joins the Longhorns. Will Allen be part of the team, though? He should be, but it will be tempting for Allen to declare early for the NBA Draft.

Allen makes NBA scouts drool with his low-post moves, mid-range jumper, and improved rebounding and shot-blocking ability. He struggles to defend on the perimeter, though, often times losing his footwork or not being in guarding position. In today’s NBA where big men need to defend on the outside, it appears that Allen needs at least one more year of work.

Next year, though, the combination of Allen and Matt Coleman could make the big man a lottery pick after his sophomore season. Allen has shown flashes of brilliance in Big 12 play, and playing with Coleman should make him even better.

What’s Left for This Season?

The Texas Longhorns are not likely to make the postseason. Unless the Longhorns miraculously win out in conference play, the NCAA Tournament is out of the question. Perhaps the NIT or another postseason tournament is within grasp, but still unlikely.

Ironically, the only way Texas might make postseason play is winning the Big 12 conference tournament, which they have never done.

So, for Allen, it’s about continuing to become more decisive and learning how to handle frequent double-teams, like what he saw from Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

“He can go way farther,” Shaka Smart said about Allen in Saturday’s post-game interview. “He’s just a really fast learner. He has gotten better and better. He’s applied himself in terms of work ethic. He’s very good when you give him something, whether it’s on film or an individual workout, to do. He’s good at applying, it but he’s good a huge upside where he can continue getting better and better. I’m just really pleased with his growth, if you look at it from the start of the season until now, how much better he’s gotten.”

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Longhorns fans hope that Allen’s progress means he stays in Austin for at least one more season to play with Coleman and not bolt early for the NBA.

Allen, Coleman, and a cast of more mature guards would make for a dynamic roster in 2017-18. We’ll see if Allen decides to stay in Austin to see the fruit of his labor in this rebuilding season for Texas Basketball.

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