The UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team has shown quality depth this season showcased by four starters off last year’s NCAA Division III national championship team. Eric Bryson, Luke Knoble, Cody Odegard, Alex Merg and sixth man, Quardell Young bring plenty of on-court experience for this year’s squad.
Young, Bryson, and Knoble are all averaging in double figures with Odegard just short of double digits.
Alex Merg has been slowed by injury all season and has seen his minutes limited to micro fractures in both shins.
The junior out of Greendale was limited to 6 to 11 minutes a game earlier in the season but has played 20 minutes in each of the Hawks last two games vs. Eau Claire and Stevens Point.
Last year as a starter, Merg finished fourth in the conference averaging 4.16 assists per game and sixth in the WIAC with 41 steals. Merg’s assist to turnover ratio was second best in the league last season.
Merg is faced with playing with pain something he must deal with for the rest of the season. He is iced down with ice bags on both shins shortly after his playing time is concluded each game.
It takes a special brand of player to deal with such an injury. Merg is that type of player.
Merg’s game centers around hustle, tenacity and at times reckless abandon especially on the defensive end.
He might be playing hurt this season with minutes limited but that same tenacity is still apparent and will be a key reason the Warhawks are planning on being in the championship hunt in the WIAC again this season.
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