Spike eligible for redshirt and 5th year

Submitted by StephenRKass on

According to the News, Spike Albrecht is eligible for a redshirt this year, and a 5th year in the 2016 - 2017 season, if he and Beilein mutually desire.

LINK:  So you're saying there's a chance?

This tidbit is buried well below the lede, which focuses on incoming recruits Xavier Simpson and Austin Davis.

Beilein continues to leave the door slightly cracked for a possible return. Albrecht, who had two hip surgeries this spring, remains on scholarship and could actually get another year of eligibility — because he remains just under the 30-percent threshold of games played this season. "I don't think he plans on that," Beilein said. "That's gonna be up to Spike." There's been no actual discussion yet between the two. If UM were to get Albrecht on the floor for even a second on Senior Day, March 5, against Iowa at Crisler Center, he would burn that extra year of eligibility.

It's an intriguing thought. Don't know what Spike has in mind. But if I felt better after rehab, the team was trending up, Beilein would allow it and there was room, and I had another free year of classes, room and board, etc., it'd be very tempting. Unless Spike has grad school lined up, or a clear job path, this looks like a great opportunity. We'll see.

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StephenRKass

December 18th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^

I read presser, and it clearly sounded like Spike was done. However, it sounded like this was because the rehab was going to take longer, and he wanted to focus on the rehab. I assumed he was done for good. Which is what made this clip surprising. Really, it is up to Spike, and up to Beilein.

As I said above, if UofM continues to provide rehab, and Spike regains his mobility and flexibility, and he wants to play next year, why not? I d be surprised, but it's an intriguing thought. There have been several players who physically were never the same. It isn't clear to me that this will be the case with Spike.

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Cali Wolverine

December 18th, 2015 at 6:44 PM ^

Didn't Spike retire from basketball because of his health? Even if he technically has additional eligibility, did he change his mind? this sounds like a lot of nothing unless Spike says otherwise.

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ijohnb

December 18th, 2015 at 6:45 PM ^

wonder if the hip situation is something that will never "fully" heal to play at a very high level. That is an odd surgery to have at his age and may be an inherited condition. Was it micro fracture? Does anybody know the specific condition treated?

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Commie_High96

December 19th, 2015 at 9:41 AM ^

You notice how the basketball team replaced their trainer in the offseason? The previous trainer was awful and contributed a lot to player injuries over the past few years

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Leaders And Best

December 18th, 2015 at 7:04 PM ^

I don't know if Michigan is going to have scholarship available for Spike. Right now, Michigan is already oversigned by one scholarship for next year. I am assuming Michigan has no candidates for early entry to the NBA. So we already need one transfer from the current roster or one of our current signees opting for a prep year just to make it to 13 scholarships for next year. I highly doubt we are going to have two transfers this offseason, but who knows.

Add in that Michigan is probably going to want to get Xavier Simpson some run next year behind Derrick Walton to prepare him to take over in 2017. If Albrecht wants to play another year, I actually think it is more likely he will do it at another school as hard as that will be to watch.

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ThadMattasagoblin

December 18th, 2015 at 7:05 PM ^

Can we grayshirt one of the commits or have one reclassify and then add Spike for next year? I have a hard time envisioning the freshmen all being better than him especially after letting a 5th year senior go in Bielfeldt this year which weakened our 5 spot.

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Leaders And Best

December 18th, 2015 at 7:09 PM ^

Michigan is already oversigned by one scholarship for next year. There had been some talk of Austin Davis taking a prep year when he first committed, but it actually looks less likely that is going to happen. Michigan is most likely going to have someone transfer off the current roster. To make room for Spike next year, Michigan would need two transfers or one transfer+one signee taking a prep year. I just think that is unlikely to happen.

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Leaders And Best

December 18th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^

Certainly possible, but I think it's pretty unlikely given Beilein's history. 2012 looks more like the exception than the rule. And with Albrecht out for the season, there are some guys who may have been transfer candidates that are going to see more playing time now.

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Jpnets54

December 18th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^

I'd love to have Spike back if has fully recovered and wants to play, but the scholarship situation likely wouldn't work out for that to happen. 

Even if this is Spike's last year at Michigan, I'm interested to see what Beilein would do if no one transfers/leaves early for the NBA and Michigan is oversigned by one scholarship.  

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LSAClassOf2000

December 18th, 2015 at 8:36 PM ^

As much as I miss Spike and would love to see him in a basketball uniform again, it definitely sounded like he had played his last at the presser. A few people on the blog who have mentioned seeing Spike practice this season, at least in passing, almost universally said he was not the same. I suppose that if by some improbable circumstance he gets to a point where he could play, that's awesome, but between the scholarship situation and what sounds like an injury which will be limiting, it seems highly unlikely he'll play again. 

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