NorCalGoBloo

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.

NorCalGoBloo

April 10th, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^

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.

LordGrantham

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.

turd ferguson

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?

turd ferguson

April 10th, 2014 at 1:13 PM ^

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")?

umumum

April 10th, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^

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.

NorCalGoBloo

April 10th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^

"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.

umumum

April 10th, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^

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.

NorCalGoBloo

April 10th, 2014 at 5:03 PM ^

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.

Raoul

April 10th, 2014 at 8:28 AM ^

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:

Desmondo

April 10th, 2014 at 8:32 AM ^

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.  

ClearEyesFullHart

April 10th, 2014 at 8:53 AM ^

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.

LSAClassOf2000

April 10th, 2014 at 8:36 AM ^

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. 

BlueCube

April 10th, 2014 at 9:19 AM ^

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.

asquared

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.

MGoUberBlue

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.

AC1997

April 10th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^

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.