Men’s basketball coach Ernie Zeigler signed three recruits to national letters of intent this week and will soon finalize his roster for next season.

The Chippewas added high school guard Finis Craddock out of Garland, Texas, along with junior college forward William McClure of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill., and guard Amir Rashid of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

The trio will join forward Tyler Brown, who was signed last fall.

“I think, as a group, the entire class brings much needed depth, quickness and ability for us to play at a much faster pace,” Zeigler said.

The team graduated seniors Marcus Van, Brandon Ford and walk-on Ryan Thomas, but adds four players to next season’s recruiting class. Zeigler said during the coming months, the team will lose one or two players from the current roster. He did not want to specify further.

Zeigler spoke highly of his new signees, saying each player has the potential to make an impact with their contributions next season.

Craddock, he said, is a very versatile and athletic combination guard who has the quickness and ability to attack the basket to create his own scoring opportunities.

Rashid brings quickness and the ability to score from the outside and toughness to the guard position.

With the Chippewas’ top two guards – Robbie Harman and Jordan Bitzer – entering their senior seasons next years, the two signees gives the team a sense of security in the near future.

“They’re going to be a nice addition and they bring a great attitude – all come from winning programs,” Harman said. “It’s definitely going to be in preparation for the future, with me and Bitz having been in the program for four years.”

Harman said he and Bitzer expect to lead and tutor the incoming guards in how to run the offense and also that they take an active role by asking questions.

“I think that’s going to be huge,” Harman said. “Last year we had a lack of depth, so two guards coming in, that’ll be really beneficial.”

Zeigler said William McClure will bring much needed toughness and tenacity to the glass with the departure of Van, the team’s leading rebounder.

“He will definitely have every opportunity,” Zeigler said of McClure filling Van’s spot. “We have the two returners, but he will definitely come in and push both for minutes. Competition – I’m excited about that competition on a daily basis.”

Senior center Chris Kellermann and junior forward Marko Spica will both return next season after missing the majority of 2008-2009 with injuries.

Zeigler’s class of four recruits, unlike pervious years, all come from out-of-state. He credits this with the ties he and his coaching staff have made.

But he also said Michigan will always be the core of his recruiting base.

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