Spike Albrecht: The Heart of Michigan Basketball

Feb 1, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Spike Albrecht (2) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Spike Albrecht became a household name during the 2013 National Championship game when he scored 17 points in the first half. He was talked about on Sportscenter, had his picture in the New York Times, and even got to tweet with Kate Upton. All of that recognition was well deserved, but Albrecht should be known for a lot more then that. He should be known as the heart and soul of Michigan basketball.

Albrecht grew up in Crown Point, Indiana and as a senior at Crown Point High School, he led his team to victory in the NEPSAC Class AAA Boys’ Basketball Tournament. He was named the MVP of the tournament and his play got the attention of John Beilein and the Michigan basketball program. They had interest in him right away, and when Trey Burke was thought to possibly be leaving for the NBA, that interest grew.

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Burke ended up staying at Michigan, but getting Spike was still huge for them. Michigan needed a backup point guard with Stu Douglass graduating and Albrecht was up for the challenge. He was pivotal for Michigan during their Final Four run in 2013 and was named to the Final Four All Tournament team. He was just as important last season as a mentor for freshman point guard Derrick Walton.

This season Albrecht was named a team captain along with fellow junior guard Caris Levert. It’s always a high honor being named team captain and no one deserved it more than Spike. He doesn’t fill up the stat sheet (he’s averaging 6.2 ppg and 3.6 apg this season) but he doesn’t have to. It’s all the little things he does that makes him a special player and leader. He plays the game the right way, and plays hard every second he’s on the floor.

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Spike Albrecht is the heart of the Michigan basketball program and is one of the biggest reasons they have stayed competitive this season, despite the number of injuries the team has endured. He continues to be a leader and one of the teams best players night in and night out. He’s only 5-foot-11, 175 pounds soaking wet, but pound for pound he is one of the toughest players in all of college basketball. He personifies not just what Michigan basketball is all about, but Michigan athletics as a whole.