Longhorns Forward Timmy Allen 'Full Tilt' For Matchup Against Colgate

As Texas celebrated its first Big 12 title since 2021, one Longhorn remained on the sidelines. Despite picking up the 76-56 win over top-ranked Kansas, all eyes were fixated on the status of Timmy Allen. 

Allen, who did not play in Kansas City last Sunday, made it clear that he would be active for the Longhorns' first-round matchup against No. 15-seed Colgate Thursday evening at the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa. 

“One hundred percent, I’m ready to go,” Allen said during Wednesday’s press conference. “No question mark. I'm going full speed.”

The only active Division I player with 2,000 career points and 900 rebounds, Allen is the staple of the second-seeded Longhorns' (26-8) frontcourt. He hasn't missed a game at the Moody Center since transferring from Utah in 2021. He also has been one of the hottest players inside the paint since the start of conference play. 

Allen averages 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game for the Longhorns. That's one part of his game that's near irreplaceable. The other part? Leadership. Allen is the vocal presence for Texas in the locker room. He's the one that answers the tough questions in postgame pressers and always has the team-first mantra. 

The health of Allen also allows Texas interim coach Rodney Terry to fortify his lineup with a balanced attack. Senior Jabari Rice should move back to Texas' go-to shooter off the bench, while Dylan Disu can be more of a complement rather than the leading man. 

Disu, the 6-9 senior forward, arguably was the Longhorns' top player at the T-Mobile Center last week in Kansas City. He scored 11 points and totaled 11 rebounds in the quarterfinal win over Oklahoma State. A day later, he tacked on 15 points and eight boards against TCU. Against the Jayhawks Sunday, Disu scored a tournament-high 18 points and shot 77.1 percent from the field.

While Disu has been hot, Allen has been consistent. Both must be effective for the Longhorns to push into the Sweet Sixteen and further. As for Allen, after a second-round loss to Purdue last season, this March Madness is personal. 

“Coming back [for] the second year, we always had big goals in mind — cutting down nets,” Allen said. “We’ve got one so far and we're not looking to stop. We have big goals in mind and we know that starts with Colgate.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:25 p.m. 

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here