LINCOLN, Nebraska – Teddy Allen, Nebraska’s scoring leader who set the Pinnacle Bank Arena scoring record less than a week ago, left the Huskers basketball team on Monday.
Nebraska was Allen’s third Division I program in an unstable career. Coach Fred Hoiberg mentioned last week that Allen was bothered by a wrist problem.
“After a lot of thinking over the past few days, I made the decision to focus on staying totally healthy in preparation for the next leg of my basketball journey,” said Allen. “I will continue to stay in Nebraska during the spring semester and work for graduation. I look forward to seeing what the future holds as I explore my options.”
Allen started his career in West Virginia and was there for one season, transferring to Wichita State in 2018. He missed out the following season under transfer rules and never played for the Shockers. He was expelled from the team in June 2019 after being arrested in connection with a riot with his girlfriend.
Allen moved to Western Nebraska Community College, where he was the scoring leader for the national junior college in 2019-20, and then joined Hoiberg’s team in Lincoln.
Allen averaged 16.4 points per game to lead the Huskers, and he set an arena record of 41 in his 86-83 loss to Penn State last Tuesday. He was limited to seven points in 20 minutes of the defeat in Illinois two nights later, which led Hoiberg to mention the pulse problem for the first time.
Allen was not in the starting lineup for the home game against Minnesota on Saturday and was kept goalless, playing 10 minutes in the 78-74 victory.
Allen was a high school star in Boys Town, home to troubled youngsters in the Omaha area, and his arrival in Nebraska was widely celebrated by a fan base who hoped he could play an important role in Hoiberg’s effort to build the program.
“I would like to thank coach Hoiberg and his coaching staff for allowing me to return to Nebraska and have the opportunity to play basketball at the best conference in the country,” said Allen. “I appreciate the support I received from everyone on the program. I appreciate the love I received from my teammates and the relationships we built last year.”
Allen played 22 games for the Huskers and scored 20 or more points eight times. He was suspended for the February 8 game in Minnesota for violating team rules.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to train Teddy last year,” said Hoiberg. “We will support you when the spring semester is over and wish you only the best in the future.”