More Great News: Zeigler to CMU

This is old news to die hard high school Basketball recruitnics.

The good news just keeps on coming for Michigan sports: four-star prospect Trey Zeigler will announce his decision to go to Central Michigan today, choosing the Chippewas over Michigan, MSU, UCLA, and Arizona State. Zeigler’s father, Ernie, just signed a four-year extension to remain the coach for Central, and the opportunity to not only play close to home but also to play for family appears to have swung Zeigler’s decision for the Chips.

To put it bluntly, this is a big hit for the Michigan basketball program. You never want to put too much stock in landing a recruit, but with Manny Harris departing early for the NBA, the Wolverines could really have used a wing player who can create his own shot, and Zeigler was the last guy on the board for Michigan who could have come in and contributed immediately. The Wolverines may still extend an offer to Detroit Denby guard Isaish Sykes, a three-star prospect, but it would be very surprising if he was able to have the same impact that Zeigler would offer.

With Zeigler off the board, fans can begin speculation about next year’s team. At this point, it looks like your starting five will be Darius Morris, Stu Douglass, Zack Novak, Evan Smotrycz or Blake McLimans, and Jordan Morgan, with Laval Lucas-Perry, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Matt Vogrich rounding out the rotation. Unless Morris has a tremendous breakthrough year and guys like Douglass, Novak and LLP find their shooting stroke in a big way, it’s tough to see that team contending for postseason play.