The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 13 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS It's In Hurst's Best Interest To Sit By Brandon Brown I'm not one of the people that thinks Michigan's matchup against South Carolina for the Outback Bowl is meaningless, but I do think there's a bigger picture to observe here. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Mau- rice Hurst has played himself into the discussion of being a first-round draft pick and playing the best game of his life in the bowl game won't change that. On the flip side, should he get injured — a la tight end Jake Butt in last year's Or- ange Bowl — he could lose millions of dollars and a year of playing in the NFL. It's a very tough call, but it's one that Hurst and only Hurst should really be concerned with. Playing in the bowl game to get to 9-4 really doesn't do any- thing for him personally and he stands to lose a lot. Michigan fans and Hurst's teammates definitely want him on the field, but if Hurst truly feels like he'd be taking too big of a risk, then everyone should be perfectly fine with that. Hurst Should Play In The Bowl By Chris Balas There was a reason Hurst was struggling so much with this decision — he loves Michigan, loves his teammates and realizes this is his last chance to wear the winged helmet. He's gone through the wars with these guys for the last five years, and though nobody should fault him if he chooses to sit this one out, he'll regret it at some point, whether it's a day later or 50 years down the road. Those NFL Michigan Men we've spo- ken to over the years said they wouldn't have traded their U-M experiences for anything … even those who made tons of money. As the legendary Bo Schem- bechler once said of a post-college foot- ball career: "You'll never play for a team again. You'll play for a contract." If the NCAA was worth a damn, it would pay for insurance policies to pro- tect kids projected to go in the early rounds. For now, Hurst should get his and go enjoy one last chance to suit up in the maize and blue. POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT SHOULD MAURICE HURST PLAY IN MICHIGAN'S BOWL GAME? Junior forward Moritz Wagner has been a fan favorite ever since he ar- rived in Ann Arbor from Berlin, Ger- many, as a freshman in 2015. The 6-11 big man played sparingly during his rookie campaign (8.6 min- utes per game), but then exploded onto the scene last year as a sopho- more, averaging 12.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He bypassed the NBA to return for his junior season, and is leading the team with 15.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per outing through the first 13 games of the season (Wagner played in 12). Here are a few other facts you may not have known about Wagner: Nickname: "[Former U-M point guard] Spike [Albrecht] started calling me Mo Weezy when I first got here." Favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor: "NeoPapalis. It's a pizza/salad/sand- wich place downtown." Best meal he can cook by himself: "Sweet potatoes and chicken with broccoli." Sports he plays besides basketball: "I used to play soccer. I only get to in the summer time nowadays because I'm busy with basketball so often." Hobbies: "Music is a big hobby of mine. I also love listening to podcasts, hanging out with friends and watch- ing basketball." Favorite TV show: "There are a cou- ple. I really like 'Entourage' and 'Prison Break.' There are others up there as well — I love 'Modern Family.' When you have to pick just one, it's so hard to choose." Favorite movie: "'Inside Man.'" Dream vacation: "Somewhere on a very lonely island." Favorite venue he's been to: "Madi- son Square Garden." Favorite professional athlete: "I don't really have one, to be honest. I try to look up to a lot of people." Role model: "[15-time NBA All-Star] Kevin Garnett." Why he chose Michigan: "I really felt it after my visit — it was a stom- ach decision. It just fit and everything made sense. A degree is something you want to have in case basketball doesn't work out, and I knew I was safe here with such great academics." What he hopes to do after basket- ball: "Possibly write a book. I'd like to stay with basketball as long as I can, though." His overall experience at Michigan: "Good, I really can't complain at all. This is a great place for me and I fit in perfectly. My days are pretty fun and I love what I do." — Austin Fox Despite missing the game against Detroit Mercy Dec. 16 in Detroit, Wagner leads U-M in scoring (15.6 per game) and rebounding (7.6) after the season's first 13 contests. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Getting To Know Men's Basketball Junior Forward Moritz Wagner Hurst, a fifth-year senior, was named a f i r s t - t e a m A l l - A m e r i c a n b y t h e Associated Press, Sporting News and Pro Football Focus. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN