It looks like Chris Allen will be back at Michigan State

Tom Izzo isn't the only Spartan to be the center of a soap opera this summer.

Its no secret that Chris Allen, a rising senior on the Michigan State team, has been in Izzo's doghouse. A starter early in the season, Allen saw his minutes decline throughout the season before eventually being suspended for the Big Ten tournament opener for a violation of team rules.

There has been plenty of speculation regarding Allen this offseason -- Izzo confirmed the speculation by saying "There is still one other player that’s up in the air and I have to make some tough decisions, and I will, and he’s got to make some tough decisions, so there might be one more coming or going" at a press conference in May -- but it is beginning to seem more and more likely that Allen will be in a Spartan jersey next season. First, there were reports that Allen was taking summer school classes. Now it appears that he is participating in a Pro-Am in Lansing with a team comprised of current, future, and former Spartans.

With or without Allen, Michigan State is going to have a loaded back court next season. Kalin Lucas, a former Big Ten player of the year that is coming off of a torn achilles tendon, will be joined by Korie Lucious, Durrell Summers, and talented freshman Keith Appling.

Allen will provide depth and experience for Izzo, but the Spartan's season doesn't hinge on Allen being a happy camper. But when your options are playing a smaller role than you would like on a team with a chance of making its third consecutive Final Four, or transferring, sitting out a season, and trying to find a role on another team for one season, maybe it is better to bite the bullet.