Walk-on Eric Puls leaves Michigan basketball for engineering

Redshirt sophomore forward Eric Puls has left the Michigan basketball team, Michigan coach John Beilein said Monday.

The reason, though, has nothing to do with playing time or anything team-related for the walk-on. Puls will stay at Michigan and focus on finishing his engineering degree in four years instead of five.

"The only reason he has to take five years to get his engineering degree is because of practice," Beilein said. "He can't get the classes he needs between 2 and 6 (p.m.). He has to practice.

"I thought it was the right decision for him although we'll miss him and he's really been a very, very important part of this team even though it wouldn't show up in the box score. But what a wonderful kid."

By doing this, Puls, who was paying his own way, has a chance to graduate in four years.Â

The Alpena native played in two games this season, grabbing one rebound. A year ago, he played in 11 games and averaged 1.2 points and .2 rebounds.

The departure brings Michigan's roster to 15 players, including current walk-on guard Josh Bartelstein and walk-on-turned-scholarship player Eso Akunne. Beilein, too, didn't rule out the possibility of adding another walk-on before the year is over.

"It's possible," Beilein said. "Right now an injury or something else could happen."

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.