Bielfedt's 5th year apparently still in flux
UMhoops just posted an interesting article about the Basketball Awards Banquet. I found this part particularly interesting:
Michigan has no available scholarships, but Beilein is on the recruiting trail anyway in case the junior goes pro and frees a spot. The coach admitted the situation has left him in somewhat of a bind, but he isn’t too worried about it.
“It always works itself out,” Beilein said. “You go and you try to look at what you have and just say, ‘OK. Time will pass and we’ll have an answer.’ We’ll have the best answer you can get. Still, you have to think what’s best for the student-athlete. What’s best for Caris right now is to wait as long as we can to get him the most information.”
This weekend, Beilein will visit four-star prospect Kenny Williams in Virginia, and five-star forward Jaylen Brown is also considering Michigan. The coach also wouldn’t eliminate the possibility of Bielfeldt returning for a fifth year.
“There’s several wheels spinning,” Beilein said. “Where that all stops has yet to be determined.”
and
The graduate senior didn’t rule out a potential return to Michigan either.
“Right now I’m waiting to see if there’s an offer here (at U-M) next year,” Bielfeldt told MLive. “I have been talking to schools all over and just kind of figuring out what’s out there for me, who wants me and what the situations are.”
The Kenny Williams and Jaylen Brown part we all knew about but the fact that Beilfedt's retrurn is still a possibility is perplexing. Does this mean that there is another potential transfer? Is this just Belien covering his bases in case LeVert leaves and he strikes out on both Brown and Williams? Does anyone have any more info on this situation?
Speculate below.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
I think this has to mean that someone else is on their way out, if Wagner is definitely coming in and Max is still up in the air. Unless Max told coach he was leaving, but is now having cold feet.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^
Honestly, I think the likeliest path for Bielfeldt to return is by paying his own way. The Bielfeldt family is exceptionally wealthy... like this wealthy... and we have a clear scholarship crunch right now. I'd hope that Max would be welcomed back if he doesn't take up a scholarship - and offered a scholarship if we somehow end up with an extra one - but I think it's fair for Beilein to make paying his own way a condition for a fifth year. That fifth year really isn't guaranteed to anyone.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^
Bielfeldt said returning to Michigan as a walk-on was on the table. Coach Beilein, FWIW, said he hadn't thought of it, but I have to believe he'd be happy to have Max back if it didn't cost a scholarship.
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As much as I like Max, I think room is being made for another player. We'll see what happens with Caris and Williams.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
My guess is it is a backup plan in case we strike out on Brown and Williams AND if Levert leaves. That would leave us with 1 scholarship available, so why not give it to Bielfeldt?
April 16th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^
April 16th, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
April 16th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
runs into any snags getting NCAA approval or admitted to UM.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
Mad Max played really well last year, in fact I would take Max over Donnal 5 times out of 5. So if there is room on the roster for him, I'd love to see him come back.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^
IIRC there was speculation that Dakich would transfer after this season in order to get more playing time at a smaller school. I'm assuming that is D2 or D3 so he would be able to play right away. This would free up the necessary space to either take both Brown and Williams, or a combination of one of those two and Beilfeldt. I enjoyed watching Dakich celebrate with the bench mob more than watching him play, though I have nothing but respect for a kid who has been happy doing what the team has needed him to do (I would have loved to ride the pine these past 3 years). I don't think AD will be asked to leave, IIRC it was more of a mutual thing that had already been discussed before this season. I know the MGoDetails will correct me if I'm wrong. GO BLUE!
April 16th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
wasn't aware of that.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
...him leaving wouldn't free up a scholarship.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^
for the information. I wasn't sure how that worked with him or how that works with open spots on the team regardless of if you are a walk-on or not....can you have as many walk-ons on the roster as you want? If there is a limit to walk-ons, Dakich leaving allows Bielfeldt to take his walk-on spot, which then frees up that extra scholarship....?
April 16th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
I am not positive but I do not believe that you can become a walk-on after having been on scholarship. Can anyone with more knowledge clarify?
April 16th, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^
You just can't get non-athletic scholarship and still stay on the team.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
That makes sense. Thanks.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
...a basketball travel squad to fifteen players (see the link below). I don't know whether you're limited with respect to the number of players you can dress at home.
http://www.terrapinclub.com/the-b1g-beat-regular-season-travel-squad-limits/
April 16th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
I forgot about the Dakich Factor. You'd think that if he was on the way out (even if it is mutual) we sould know something.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^
Just seems like we have plans A, B, C, and D to cover multiple different situations that could take place. I'm not too worried. I think either way the chips fall Michigan will still be a Sweet-16 type of team.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^
So then I guess that is A) LeVert B) Brown C) Williams D) Bielfedt ?
I would be ecstatic about A, B, or C and perfectly content with D. This team is going to be really good next year.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
There should always be room for the best calves in basketball.
Bradley coach Geno Ford realized that Max can't fit into Carver Arena, which is not yet in compliance with the Americans with Abilities (and Huge Calves) Guidelines,.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^
but Max will be out of here as soon as the Harlem Globetrotters call him.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^
I see him as more of a Washington Generals man.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
Bielfeldt can come back as a 1 year walk on. We have three players for one spot. Jaylen Brown, Levert, and Kenny Williams. I really doubt Jaylen Brown is going to come here and the tea leaves seem to be for Levert to come back but Kenny Williams seems to want to come here. Anyway we can get both Williams and Levert? Anybody else that could volunteer to walk on or are we going to have to pass up on Williams?
April 16th, 2015 at 12:49 PM ^
Really don't want to rehash a topic that has been covered ad-nauseum, but no matter what anyone says on this board a medical scholarship for Hatch is still a definite option.
Beilein>Crean.
Unless Hatch came up to him asking for it I believe that Hatch will get a full 4-5 years no matter what. That is who Jim Beilein is.
John's twin brother?
A quick search - not comprehensive - for "Jim Beilein" in the search for the foundation of a snarky remark found only references to John Beilein, so if there ever was a Jim Beilein, he isn't of much note or there are some articles out there written by people quite new to the world of collegiate basketball (there was an obscure article calling him "Jim" and "John" - I only saw the summary though).
As for Max, I had thought there was an article saying he was leaning towards his hometown university of Bradley, but I admit that it would be nice to have him back as a walk-on, in my opinion.
Of Jim Harbaugh and John Beilein. Thought that was obvious.
Also the many Harbaugh voices in my head made me mistype it I swear!
but what about Hatch paying his own way?
I would guess that the estate of a family with its own plane could afford it.
April 16th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
We are stacked at wing next year. As weird as it is to say, I think the team may be better off having LeVert go, and keeping Max. Max had some great games down the stretch this year, and provided a scoring threat from down low. He was relatively efficient, and he wasn't soft. I am not sure Wilson is going to be tough down low.
Meanwhile at the wing, we have Irvin, Dawkins, Rahkman, Chatman, and Robinson all competing for PT. Dawkins already started to make the sophomore leap. Irvin was clutch down the stretch. And among Chatman, Rahkman, and Robinson, someone will step up- MAAR and Chatman had some very promising performances this year.
a sg.
nope nope nope nope
I get Levert for Jaylen Brown. I can even buy Levert for the new recruit Williams. But Levert for a fifth year senior who was good by comparison to the other big men we had? Nah man. If Levert leaves, Max gets that schollie after all the other kids turn us down.
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gone
There is a chance that Wagner will not qualify/meet NCAA requirements to play next year I believe. I don't think it's necessarily a grades thing but more an international thing. Not positive. I think Beilein is just covering his bases in case that happens.
have already checked that out by now?
I can only read two things into all of these articles. Either Hatch is definitely going to medical and/or Beilfeldt will pay for his 5th year.
I just can't see any way LeVert will go pro based on his quotes and what we know about his rehab timeline. He simply will not be in physical shape to do any camps before the draft. My money is on Caris staying.
the whole Austin Hatch situation is between he and Beilein. If they work something out that both are happy with, then I am fine with it. But, I would really hate to see Hatch get pushed out just so we can use his scholarship on another player. If LeVert returns, we are really well covered at all positions and aren't in dire need of adding another guard/wing for this year.