Chris Beard reveals importance of Timmy Allen to culture at Texas

Texas Longhorns head coach Chris Beard spoke about the importance of transfer forward Timmy Allen to the culture of their school’s basketball program. Allen transferred to Texas for this season following three years at Utah where he averaged over 17 points in his final two seasons with the Utes. Although his offensive production has taken a small dip with Texas — 12.4 points per game — Beard spoke about Allen’s NCAA Tournament presence.

Chris Beard on Timmy Allen

During a press conference appearance, Beard was asked how he felt about this season at Texas and how his current team was different. Beard made particular note of the Longhorns’ addition of forward Timmy Allen.

“I think with every season you reflect back and the first thing I always think about is the players,” started Beard. “Every team that I’ve been fortunate to coach, you think about the guys, so this will be no different, I think, when it comes reflection time.

“The question was about Timmy, and I’m on the record with my love and appreciation and respect for Timmy Allen, especially recruiting him during the COVID-19 portal where we never really had a chance to meet face to face, we didn’t have a chance to do an official visit, we just did it on some phone calls. I don’t even think me and Timmy did that FaceTime, Zoom stuff. It was just an old school couple phone calls and right to it.

“I don’t want to speak for Timmy, but I think Timmy was everything we were looking for, what we’re about and I think Timmy would tell you the same thing about us.”

Following up on his mention of Allen, Beard was asked how he felt the March Madness experience had been for Allen this season. Allen’s brother, Teddy Allen, plays for New Mexico State — the team that knocked off five-seeded UConn in the first round of the tournament.

“Yeah, it’s been pretty cool. We had a lot of emotion watching Teddy play,” continued Beard. “Just watching Timmy enjoy that, our whole team was fired up. We delayed a couple of our film sessions to keep watching Chris James’ New Mexico State team and Teddy play. You guys might have to check on [Teddy’s nickname, ‘Teddy Buckets’], but I think Timmy was the original bucket. It’s my understanding, and Teddy took it. I love Teddy, but I’m a Timmy guy.

“So shout out to Chris James there, the job he’s doing at Mexico State is special. And it’s a family affair in the NCAA Tournament in a lot of ways. Also enjoying watching some of our former coaches, former assistant coaches that are still in the tournament. Al Pinkins is coaching Florida right now on an interim basis and just won his first NIT game the other day. Pulling for Al. And certainly Coach Adams and a lot of our guys are out there still playing. A lot of family parts in this tournament. You root for your guys and you feel bad for your guys when their time ends.”