UM Men's Basketball Loses Merritt for Season after Knee Injury

ANN ARBOR, Mich. * University of Michigan men's basketball coach JohnBeilein announced today (Feb. 19), senior guard David Merritt (West

Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield HS) will miss the remainder of the

season after tearing the medial meniscus in his left knee against Ohio

State (Feb. 17). Merritt is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday

afternoon.

"We feel just terrible about what has happened to David," said Beilein.

"He brought such a strong effort and other immeasurable intangibles to

our team every day in practice and in games. His overall stats are not

even close to what David means to this team. He is just a wonderful

leader both on and off the court. The way he played against Ohio State

was a testament to what he means to this team. He kept us in that game

and that will not soon be forgotten."

Despite the season-ending knee injury against Ohio State (Feb. 17),

Merritt proved his worth in what could be his final game at Michigan. He

posted a career-best seven points and four assists against the Buckeyes.

Merritt put the Wolverines on his back in the first half, keeping U-M in

the game, stopping a key first-half OSU run with his three-pointer and

inside acrobatic lay-up. He finished the game 3-for-5 from the field,

both career-bests.

The former walk-on played in 22 career games for the Wolverines,

including 18 this season. He averaged 1.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and just

under one assist per game.