The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS his new role as one of the team's top scorers, and he talks about that and more in this Q&A. The Wolverine: Everyone talks about the Indiana pride — you have a lot of Hoosier State products on this team. Is there a sense that you guys know a bit more about basketball? Irvin: "Indiana is a basketball state, so I guess we do take pride in our basketball. It's something we love, and us Indiana guys definitely stick to- gether. Especially [walk-ons] Sean Lonergan and Andrew Dakich — we're all from the same conference in high school." The Wolverine: How much pressure was there to stay home, and how much did you hear from people when you committed to Michigan? Irvin: "There was a lot of pressure, definitely. Indiana started recruiting me first. I just felt Michigan was the best fit for me and my skill set. But when some of the in-state guys — Devin Davis, Collin Hartman — com- mitted, there was even more pressure with them going to IU. I just knew Michigan was right for me." The Wolverine: Ball-handling was a big point of emphasis for you in the offseason. Are you starting to feel more comfortable with that aspect of your game? Irvin: "I'm a lot more comfortable. Coach Vall [LaVall Jordan] and I were working on my development just the other day. Ball-handling will be a big part of my game, and that's one of the things along with my strength I worked on most this summer. I knew I was going to have the ball in my hands more this year than last, get more chances. I have to be more confident." The Wolverine: On the strength aspect, you've added six inches to your vertical and now you seem to want to dunk every chance you get … Irvin: "Definitely [laughs]. All the hard work we put in with [strength] coach [Jon] Sanderson this spring and summer, I'm just trying to show it off this year. He gets all the credit. Without him, I definitely wouldn't be the person I am right now. I'm more athletic on the offensive end and the defensive end." The Wolverine: You and [sophomore point guard] Derrick Walton are roommates. What's your relationship like? Thomas: "We probably have one of the weirdest friendships on the team [laughs]. We're always arguing, about everything — basketball, life. I'm telling you, when I say everything, I mean everything. When he wants to go to sleep, I have the lights on doing homework, lots of little stuff like that. But he's one of my closest friends on the team — we're very close." — Chris Balas