The Weekly Ten With Former Wolverine David Merritt
12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2009
Every week, MGoBlue.com's Brad Rudner and Scott Brimacombe will sit down with a different member associated with the Michigan men's basketball program for 10 questions, called "The Weekly Ten". Scott will come up with the questions and Brad will get the answers.
This week, we sit down with former Wolverine David Merritt to talk about life after basketball, his clothing company and his transition to radio.
Check back every week all season long for more installments!
10. Besides playing basketball, how different is your life compared to last year?
"It's pretty different, not in terms of workload, but in terms of the tasks at hand with IMU. Last year, I was spending most of my time trying to be a great student here at Michigan and play for the basketball team. I am trying to spread happiness and better communities around the world. The workload is the same but it's a slightly different mission."
9. Give us a status update of "I Miss You" (IMU). What's the next step for the brand?
"Continue to increase brand awareness. Right now, it seems like we are out there a lot, but we have to realize that 99 percent of the world probably hasn't heard of us or don't know what we are all about. We are attempting to continue what we started, which is a great customer experience and make them feel special. So long as we are continuing to do that and community service, we are on the right path."
8. A significant part of IMU's mission is to promote community service. Are there any specific organizations that IMU supports or is partnered with?
"We have a service network of about 20 organizations that have similar missions of trying to bring a sense of volunteerism to Michigan and the greater Detroit area. We do a number of things working with these organizations, but it's all about volunteerism."
7. Talk about your transition to radio. What have you learned on the job that maybe you didn't expect?
"I didn't think it would be this hard. You listen to guys on TV and radio and you don't appreciate the job they have to do until you are put in that position, especially with radio. You've got limited time to get your thought on the air. It may take you 30 seconds to explain the play, but you have five to say it. I don't take my job lightly. Hopefully I'll improve."
6. Does working as a radio analyst and being involved with Michigan basketball make you miss playing more or less?
"I didn't think it would that much, but it really does. Being that close to the team, being in film sessions, hotels, locker room from time to time; it really makes me want to suit up again. That's a great group of guys to be around."
5. Through the early going, what are your reflections on the team right now?
"It's been a tough stretch to start with the types of teams they have played. They have played a tough out of conference schedule. People don't realize how young this team is, especially with two freshmen and two sophomores running things. This I can assure you though, Coach Beilein won't stop coaching and the players won't stop working. This past Saturday against Kansas showed me there is hope there, just with the way they played and how hard and determined they were on the defensive end."
4. How much of the team's current struggles can be attributed to the departures of yourself and C.J. (Lee)?
"I don't know, honestly. I think a lot of it has to do with the shooting. Things would be different if we weren't shooting so poorly from the field and from behind the arc. A lot of what you see wouldn't even be a discussion. The shooting percentages have been poor and the defense weaknesses are glaring. Compare the numbers. We are probably holding opponents to the same shooting percentage and I would guess our rebounding numbers are about the same. Say you make three extra three-pointers a game. Nine points goes a long way in college basketball. I don't know how much it has an effect, but those young guys that are running things are going to take some time to learn the offense."
3. Having been a point guard for John Beilein, how do you think Darius Morris has looked in the short time he's been running things?
"I think he's a keeper. He's going to go through ups and downs like every freshman will, because getting used to playing at this level is a big jump from high school. I like his energy, his intelligence and if you saw the game on Saturday, you really know that there is something there. He didn't start, but he came off the bench and showed some determination and character."
2. Looking ahead to the Big Ten season, how do you see things playing out across the conference?
"It's really tough. Look at Northwestern and what they have done out of conference without Kevin Coble. And Ohio State without Evan Turner. If they can weather the storm, that's a team that is going to be reckoned with once he returns. There's just so many good teams and too much talent. Even at the bottom, take a team like Indiana, when you go there, you are going to expect a game. You can't take a night off in this conference. If Michigan can maintain the same effort that they showed versus Kansas and the same focus on the defense end, I think this team can do well in the Big Ten. They just have to maintain that level and then hopefully shots start falling."
1. With the holidays in full swing, do you have any special traditions or routines you participate in?
"Nothing really that special. Our family just does a regular get-together, open gifts, and have a good time. It's going to be great to just be at home, especially since I haven't been able to do that much the last couple of years playing basketball and now running this company."
DOUBLE BONUS
What is on your holiday "wish list" this year?
"I want an iPhone like no other. I don't know why. I'm an Apple fanatic, but I never was excited about it. Over the last couple of months, though, I started to really want one. I told my mom the other day, so hopefully she'll come through."
