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Notebook: Team USA Struggles, Austin Hatch, Construction Updates and Other Notes

hardaway_tim_2011[1]Team USA Struggles

Early returns from Lithuania are not encouraging. Team USA’s exhibition losses will either serve as a wake up call or the Americans are going to be in for a long trip to Latvia for the FIBA U19 World Championships. The Americans lost a pair of exhibition games to Lithuanian U19 and U20 squads, 108-75 and 101-72, respectively.

After a strong performance in the first exhibitionTim Hardaway Jr. struggled in the second game, going 0 for 8 from the field and notching just five points, four steals and three turnovers. Jonas Valunciunas returned from the NBA draft festivities to dominate the American squad, scoring 23 points in 25 minutes.

Team USA will open the World Championships on Thursday with a 9am (eastern) game versus Egypt. Future group play games include Serbia on July 1st (9 am eastern) and China on July 2nd (11:15 am eastern).

bilde[1]Austin Hatch Updates

John Beilein released a letter regarding Austin Hatch to the Michigan community:

Our basketball program and the Michigan community were saddened to hear about the tragedy that affected the Hatch family late Friday evening. Austin needs as much support right now as possible and he continues to be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

We are grateful that the NCAA has relaxed some of the contact restrictions currently in place to accommodate this unique set of circumstances for our coaches. We appreciate that they and Big Ten office are working with us throughout this situation. Both groups have been in communication with our compliance office and continue to provide valuable insight on a daily basis.

The outpouring of support from our Michigan faithful, coaches, administrators and fans across the country has been overwhelming. We are thankful for all the support that has been offered to the Hatch family. We appreciate that the NCAA will continue to work with us and act in the best interest of everyone involved.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Austin and the Hatch family.
John Beilein

There haven’t been any updates posted to Austin’s Caring Bridge page but 629 people have posted a message of support and over 26,000 have visited. We’ll be sure to pass along any new information of Austin’s condition when it becomes available.

Construction Update

The construction projects inside and around Crisler Arena continue to progress. This is just the first stage of Crisler Arena renovations but by the end of the summer the basketball facilities should look almost like a new campus.

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Both the official Michigan Basketball Facebook Page (below) and the wonderful Michigan Stadium Aerials website (above) have been posting numerous pictures of the active construction projects. This first infrastructure phase of Crisler renovations includes hand rails, new (plastic) seats, the new scoreboard and other structural improvements.

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Other Notes

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