Things are still quiet during the spring signing period for new men’s coach Mark Fox, but Andy Landers yesterday added two players plus a walk-on to a group of four signed during the early period. It was already considered a top 10 class based on the four from the fall, and the newest three add some important depth and roles to the roster.

That’s seven incoming players added to a roster that’s only losing one senior and one transfer. If the numbers hold, the team will go from six scholarship players to twelve. The biggest weaknesses of the team last season were depth up front and production from the wing, and this class definitely addresses those issues. The team will still be led by its core of four upperclassmen (Houts, Marshall, Robinson, and Phillips), but the infusion of talent should give the team many more options and – call me crazy – might even let them rest Ashley Houts every now and then.

A quick overview of the incoming class:

Armstrong: A versatile 6’3″ wing
Hassell: A 6’2″ pure power post
James: A 5’9″ guard with a reputation as a scorer and defender
Willis: An aggressive 6’2″ post with mobility
Criner: A guard who can pull up or slash to the basket
Jones: A 6’2″ post project with a volleyball background…a leaper who can block shots and rebound.
Williams: Walk-on guard with a good perimeter shot