Austin Hatch Official Visit
The almost unbelievable story of Austin Hatch continues. Not much detail in this article, but enough to re-amaze:
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/04/at_long_last_michigan…
Whether or not he ever plays (and it's not clear that he will, although my bet would be on "yes"), all my usual esteem for Beilein rises even more.
I can't wait until this kid gets on the court during a game. Cheers...............lots of them.
Whether Austin plays or not....I'm happy he's a Wolverine!!
He's going to play, I have no doubt about it. I'd almost be willing to bet that at some point in his career he'll be a starter. I have nothing to base these predictions on, other than the fact I believe in Austin Hatch.
makes me think of that new Nike soccer commercial.
I believe in Austin Hatch!
I believe in Austin Hatch!
This is a great story, but there is zero chance Hatch ever starts for Michigan.
Zero chance? Come on now
April 10th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^
He's not even a good high school player at this point. He's not going to start for one of the country's top 15 teams.
April 10th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
You still can't predict the future with 100% accuracy. Saying zero chance implies that you can. You're discounting several highly, highly unlikely but nevertheless extant possibilities from EVER happening. At this point and until he gets medicaled, sorry, you just don't know for sure.
Also, you're not protecting anyone by taking this position. You're just being negative.
There is a difference between being negative and being realistic. It's sort of like the difference between being optimistic and stupid.
No one's saying you aren't being realistic. At least I'm not. If you had said it's highly, highly, highly unlikely that Hatch ever starts, fine. In fact, I tend to agree.
But it's unreasonable for you to claim that you know with 100% certainty he won't start a single game ever over the next five years. You simply can't make that claim until the rules or Beiline make him ineligible. You said no chance. No chance is wrong.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^
And zero chance that Spike Albrecht will ever light it up during a national championship game.
April 10th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
Right, because a perfectly healthy and underscouted player John Beilein recruited scoring 17 points in one game is obviously as unlikely as a kid returning from a coma induced by a horrific plane crash to start for one of the conference's best programs after averaging 1.5 ppg in his final high school season.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
More generally, you have to love the poster who decides that he needs to draw the line and be a realist here (not to mention that "great story" aren't the first words that come to mind for me). How about we let people be encouraging and optimistic here even if it isn't 100% rational?
April 10th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Because it's patronizing and a little insulting when the limitations on the kid's body clearly won't let him do what people are claiming he might be able to do.
Ah, because you know with absolute certainty ("zero chance") what this kid's body will allow him to do five years from now. And think about what would be more insulting if you were in Austin Hatch's position: (a) people like me saying that we're not going to quit believing in the kid even if the odds are long or (b) people like you saying that it's hopeless (despite being a "great story")?
Yes, and (a).
with Lord Grantham, but he doesn't deserve the venom he is getting on this one. First, what he said is almost certainly true. Second, he isn't raining on Austin's parade--though perhaps on some here. Third, the very nice and inspiring article could have stood on it own--it is posters here who chose to project it to another level.
"almost certainly" (as you said) vs "no chance." That's what warrants the venom. Big difference. He is unable to see or acknowledge it. Do you really think this would have blown up if he had taken the time to properly qualify his remarks as opposed to dismissing curtly a slim possibility as not possible? Probably not.
It is simply impossible for him to know what the future holds for Hatch. I don't know why some people can't admit error.
one might suggest that "almost certainly" is just a gentler way of saying "no chance". When I buy a Powerball ticket, I recognize that I "almost certainly" will not win---my wife always reminds me that I have "no chance". It makes me a cautious optimist--but my wife a realist. But we don't argue over semantics.
Neither you or your wife are likey to offend the other with your semantic choice in that analogy. By contrast, Hatch could be somewhat hurt by coarsley worded proclamations about his future, in the very unlikely (but again possible) event that he makes his way here.
Everyone here is intelligent enough to construct a less potentially offensive statement. I question why it is objectionable to ask that he spend an ounce of strength to do so.
Lol, that's what you're upset about? Alright, here you go: Hatch has a .01% chance of starting for Michigan.
I'll see myself out.
more idea than anyone else. I am not sure how many people in the weeks and months after the accident were certain he would come as far as he has so far.
April 10th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
I wouldn't doubt someone who survived two plane crashes
I would have also said there's zero chance a person can survive two plane crashes
Okay. What does that have to do with his ability to play basketball? Are you arguing that because he got lucky and survived two crashes, he just may start for Michigan?
I usually dont bet on amature athletes, but in this case I will. You name the price...
I bet he starts at least 1 game during his time at Michigan.
April 11th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
If he stays and avoids a medical redshirt until his senior night as a redshirt senior, I'd wager he'll start. Even if it is only the first posession. May depend on who our competition is that night though.
For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's the three-pointer he made at Loyola HS in January—his first shot in his first time in a game in three years:
April 10th, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^
... but who chose that camera angle, the BTN's football crew?
then no, that would be above BTN's capabilities.
This has the makings of a movie on Oprah's network. Unbelievable.
She cares about UM sports but from a distance. So her saying a recruit's name got my attention - apparently she read an article on some non-sports site about his story...people.com? If he actually plays any minutes for UM that will get major attention from all over.
His story is amazing and I'm glad that UM honored the offer. But expecting him to play is a huuuuuuuuuuuge stretch. Let's be honest...he played in 4 games this year and scored a total of 6 points. He's going to come here and wind up on a medical scholarship quickly.
I don't want to lose Nik, but I really hope Hatch doesn't have to medical. I think he's capable of coming in and being a leader on the bench right now like Josh was. And would anything be sweeter than watching Austin drop a 3 in garbage time at the Breslin? I think not.
He can barely play high school ball, he isn't going to play here. I am sure that he'll be involved in the program, but it'll almost certainly involve wearing a suit.
But I don't really see the benefit in you spelling it out.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
I don't see any detriment to it either.
Extrapolating that to say he won't ever be ready to play at Michigan requires more information than any of us possess.
I don't think John Beilein is going to be so quick to medical Austin Hatch as a lot of Michigan fans are. In a postseason team update interview with Matt Shepard, Beilein talks about how Jordan Morgan taught him to never give up on any player. (See around the 3:45 mark.)
Beilein said when Hatch signed his national letter of intent in November. “We’ll just have to see how that all develops. The big thing is that he has a scholarship to the University of Michigan. And I want to make sure he knows that. We want to make sure he knows that.”
This is simply reiterating something that I believe Beilein said a while back, that one of the scholarships being held for this class was Hatch's, but actually that it was there for him whenever he decided he wanted it and felt ready. Such a gesture is awesome, in my opinion, and indicative of the great culture around the basketball program under Beilein's watch.
As for Hatch personally, I hope to be there the first time he steps out into Crisler so I can be part of the thunderous applause this kid deserves.
My only question is:
Who pissed in LordGrantham's cereal today?
I don't know if he will ever play, but it will be a great day when he gets his degree.
him hitting the court and maybe even contributing before it's all over. I think the drive is something Beilein looks for in all his recruits. All you have to do is see how hard the majority of the team seems to work. The drive is serving him well in his recovery.
I hope he does make it on the court at least once. It would be an incredibly emotional experience for everyone. I can see Beilein doing it if at all possible. I think Austin will ay he's not doing it unless he earns it though. This is the difference Beilein brings to Michigan and it's great. I think if Austin does nothing else, he will be a huge inspiration to the entire team. I look forward to watching this happen.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
They will have him on athletic scholarship as long as possible, but if GRIII and MM decide to stay they may be forced to medical him this year.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
Unless they add another player via a late signing or transfer, there's room for Hatch to be on scholarship in 2014-15 with only one current player departing.
April 10th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
I don't expect him to ever play - sorry - but I do believe he'll bring off-the-charts character and leadership to the team.
April 10th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
To see this kid walking and talking like a normal 19- or 20-year old person. The trauma that he has gone through in his life is more than many would be able to handle emotionally.
He will be an asset to any university or team and I sure am glad it is Michigan.
April 10th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
I hope he gets on the court to a roaring applause
As of right now there's a roster spot for him next year so he doesn't have to take a medical hardship scholarship. My feeling is that he'll get in a game or two during garbage time, hit a couple of threes as the crowd explodes. As he enters his sophomore year they'll take a look at his physical capabilities and the status of the roster. Most likely, he takes the medical at that point and becomes a student staff assistant like Ben Cronin.