Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State's Chris Allen Likely to Transfer Amid Izzo Mania

Chris Allen has been on a "short leash" for months, according to coach Tom Izzo.

And in the midst of the hoopla surrounding Izzo's status with the Spartans, the Allen transfer saga has been pushed under the rug.

Until now.

Delvon Blanton, Delvon Roe's father, told the Lansing State Journal that Allen was not in attendance at the team meeting held Tuesday. Izzo addressed his players, and told them that he has talked to Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

However, Izzo never told them he was going to take the job, contrary to a report found on Waiting For Next Year.

Given the magnitude of the gathering, anyone concerned with the club's fate would have been present.

So why not Allen?

But Blanton did shed light on the other fiasco surrounding Spartan hoops.

He went on to say that Allen is likely to transfer.

The Spartans' 6'3" shooting-guard was suspended for the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament for failing to meet team commitments in March.

There was speculation of his transfer before Izzo mania. Considering the media blitz at hand, it would seem that Allen could gracefully cut ties with Michigan State in anonymity.

That was supposed to be the big story about Spartan basketball this summer, not Izzo.

One of Michigan State's new faces has weighed in on the drama.

Keith Appling, who was Michigan's Mr. Basketball in 2010, said he thinks Izzo will remain as Michigan State's head coach.

Appling, who is perhaps the prize of the 2010-11 recruiting class, signed his letter of intent last November—so he's locked into attending Michigan State unless the school works out a deal with him.

For a recruit like Appling to come to East Lansing, he would have to be sure that he's getting what he was promised. And that being a quality college experience directed by one of the game's finest.

And that's what Roe thought he was getting, too.

Roe, who will be a junior next year, came to East Lansing to be guided by Izzo. He entered Michigan State with a great reputation and problematic knees.

He has been one of the heart-and-soul members of the Spartans.

His father said that he would encourage his son to transfer should Izzo jump ship.

The Cleveland whisper hasn't just created a hailstorm for Izzo, but it has his players, and their parents, questioning their future at Michigan State.