The University of Memphis basketball team suspended one of its reserve point guards Wednesday evening, just days before its Final Four matchup against UCLA in San Antonio.
Memphis team spokesman Lamar Chance and coach John Calipari confirmed the suspension of Andre Allen, a senior who has played in 73 games in his four-year career. Chance said that Allen had violated team rules and will not play Saturday against UCLA but did not elaborate any further.
Memphis television stations have reported that Allen allegedly failed a drug test. The NCAA selects players for random tests after each tournament game.
“He was not on the plane,” Chance said. “He is not here in San Antonio.”
The 5-foot-10-inch guard could have helped Memphis defend UCLA’s high-power backcourt. Allen is known for his lockdown defense.
“We’ll be fine,” Calipari told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “It will bring them closer, and everybody will notch it up a little bit, which is what we need anyway. But it’s unfortunate for the young man.”
Calipari wouldn’t deny the chance of Allen returning for the championship game should Memphis beat UCLA.
Allen played 30 minutes total in the Tigers’ past two tournament games against Texas and Michigan State.
Throughout this season, Allen served as the backup point guard for Memphis’ star freshman Derrick Rose. In Allen’s absence, the Tigers will likely turn to sophomore Willie Kemp to spell Rose at point guard.
Allen, a Memphis native, was arrested for allegedly soliciting a prostitute in 2005.
With reports from Bruin wire services.