Virginia Tech’s Seth Allen returns to ACC tournament after transfer from Maryland

Seth Allen grabbed a basketball, took a few dribbles toward half court and launched a shot as Virginia Tech’s practice was winding down at Verizon Center.

“This is for the game,” Allen proclaimed to nobody in particular. Of course, it went in.

Moments later, Allen drained four consecutive jump shots, including three 3-pointers, during a routine drill in which he took inbounds passes from assistant coach Jamie McNeilly. Allen ribbed his teammates with each shot he made, and even after he missed, he had an earful for whoever was listening.

Allen is having fun and it is easy to see it. With a personality as colorful as the tattoos that decorate his chest and right arm, the Woodbridge, Virginia native has rejuvenated the Hokies a year after sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules following his departure from Maryland.

“That’s what I am, I’m the personality of this team,” said Allen, a redshirt junior. “I joke around with these guys all the time. I just try to keep it fun, keep the mood light. I’ve been here before. The younger guys, they’re always asking questions about the ACC tournament and what it’s going to be like. I just try to ease the moment, ease the tension. Even in the games, I just make sure everyone is calm and smiling. When you’re happy, you play better.”

No. 6 seed Virginia Tech (18-13), which plays No. 11 seed Florida State (19-12) on Wednesday, enters the tournament playing its best basketball of the season. After losing seven of eight games, the Hokies finished with five consecutive victories, punctuated by a 77-62 win against No. 2 seed and No. 11-ranked Miami (24-6) in the regular-season finale on Saturday.

Unless the Hokies make a deep run in the conference tournament, or win it, it is unlikely they get an invite to the NCAA tournament. However, Allen and fellow transfer Zach LeDay, who left USF, have sparked improvement for a team that has a bright future.

In Buzz Williams’ second year as coach, the Hokies finished sixth after being projected to finish 14th in the preseason ACC poll despite major injuries to sophomore guard Ahmed Hill, who has missed this season with a torn patella tendon, and junior guard Ty Outlaw, who redshirted because of an undisclosed medical condition. Freshman Chris Clarke also missed part of the season with a broken foot.

“We’ve definitely had some ups and downs,” said Allen, who’s averaging 13.9 points per game, second behind LeDay’s 15.2.

“I’m really proud of how we’ve overcome some obstacles. I think we steadily have just been moving up as the season’s going. We finished sixth in the league with the second-hardest schedule, that speaks to the guys in this locker room. We don’t back down from anything.”

For Allen, the process still feels like somewhat of a blur. He left Maryland after his sophomore year, the fourth of five players to transfer from Mark Turgeon’s program after the 2013-14 season. He was out eight weeks with a broken foot and returned to average 13.4 points and three assists in 29.7 minutes per game, but felt it was time for a change.

To this day, he still can’t finger an exact reason why he left, other than it felt like the best move for he and his family. What he did know is that he wanted to remain in the ACC as Maryland was departing for the Big Ten. He quickly chose Virginia Tech the same day he made his official visit.

Maryland (24-7), which reached No. 2 in the polls at one point this season, enters the Big Ten tournament as the No. 3 seed. Allen remains at peace with his decision. He still keeps in touch with former teammates — mostly through a group text message which includes senior Jake Layman, former guard Dez Wells, Long Beach State transfer Nick Faust and others.

“It’s not like I just turned my back on them and left,” Allen said. “The emotions are good. I’m proud they’ve been doing well, but I wouldn’t change my decision for the world. I learned so much with Coach Buzz and as far as being a great player, my IQ for the game, I feel like I can go coach a college team right now. I’ve just learned so much just as a player, watching film, sitting out and seeing it from the bench a different perspective.”

A future in coaching is hardly just a hunch. Williams said that when Allen’s playing career is over, his point guard would be a welcome addition to his coaching staff, wherever he may be. The Virginia Tech coach also said he sees a lot of similarities between Allen and McNeilly, who worked on Williams’ staff at Marquette after playing for him at New Orleans.

Allen and McNeilly, both left-handed point guards, share the same free-spirited personality, which Williams has embraced in a short period of time.

“He’s the funnest kid I’ve ever been around, I adore him,” Williams said. “He has as high of an IQ basketball-wise as I’ve ever coached, but has a leadership ability that he can keep it fun, but also because of the relationship he has with the kids, knows how to tighten it down and be serious. He’s been a really important part to what we’ve done. Him coming here when he did was really big in a lot of ways.”