Since Seth Allen returned to the court after sitting out this season’s first 12 games with a broken left foot, the Terrapins men’s basketball guard has epitomized his team’s performance by pairing moments of effectiveness with stretches of uneven play.

Allen’s 3.6 assists per game lead the Terps, his 10 points per game ranks fifth and his reputation as a capable three-point shooter has changed the offense’s dynamic since he returned Dec. 29. On the other hand, he has shot worse than 50 percent from the field in each of his eight games this season and is shooting 23.8 percent from the field over the past four contests.

So when the Terps (11-9, 3-4 ACC) host Miami (10-9, 2-5) tonight in hopes of igniting a team-wide resurgence, they want their floor general to find the consistency to lead the way.

“I think it’s a matter of picking and choosing his spot,” forward Evan Smotrycz said. “He’s so good, he can go up and finish around 7-footers. For him, it’s a matter of knowing when to.”

Forward Jake Layman said that when Allen first came back from his preseason injury, the point guard felt some pressure to be a prolific scorer. The Terps began the season 7-5, a disappointing mark for a team with NCAA tournament aspirations, and Allen’s return evoked some promise.

The Terps won the first three games with Allen back in the lineup, but the sophomore still was adjusting to his duties at the helm of the offense.

“At first when he got back, he kind of had that mentality: ‘I’m going to be a scorer and bring us back to where we need to be,’” Layman said. “But he’s calmed down, and he’s come a long way.”

Allen’s patience and decision-making will be tested tonight against the Hurricanes, who play a unique match-up zone defense. But coach Mark Turgeon and the Terps have mentioned that Allen has improved his performance since he’s been back.

In Saturday’s loss to then-No. 20 Pittsburgh, Allen played 35 minutes and posted a season-high six assists to two turnovers. Though Allen shot 2-of-9 from the field and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers, Turgeon was pleased enough with the sophomore’s play to keep him in the game for the entire second half.

“I thought his decision-making was better,” Turgeon said after Saturday’s loss. “He’s getting closer to 100 percent, and we felt like he could exploit his matchup off the dribble pretty well and he did that.”

As Allen’s health improves, Turgeon feels more comfortable keeping him in the game for longer periods. Guard Nick Faust mentioned that Allen, who stands 6-foot-1, couldn’t generate much lift off his injured foot when he was first cleared to play, and he struggled to dunk.

But about a month since his season debut, the typically explosive guard is slamming the ball home with ease each practice. And the Terps hope the improvements to Allen’s health can translate to consistent performances on the floor.

“He’s really trying to be a solid point guard,” Layman said.

Allen’s performance is crucial because the Terps’ point guard issues have played a significant role in the team’s underachieving season. Turnovers plagued the Terps before Allen returned, as Dez Wells, a natural wing player, shared the ballhandling duties with freshman Roddy Peters.

Even since Allen came back, the Terps’ point guard play hasn’t been smooth. In a sobering loss to shorthanded N.C. State on Jan. 20, Turgeon chose to sit both Peters and Allen for about six minutes to start the second half because neither was properly following his instructions.

“I didn’t have a point guard doing what I wanted,” Turgeon said last week. “Guys got to do what I ask, and that’s about as blunt as I can be with that.”

Turgeon, though, was content with Allen after Saturday’s game, and the Terps likely will look to Allen frequently again tonight.

The Terps stressed yesterday that they’ll need to be patient and deliberate on offense to beat Miami and break a two-game losing streak. And Allen’s personal search for stability could be the key to steadying an erratic offense.

“That’s just on him being a point guard,” Faust said, “And having a feeling for the game.”