Sean O'Mara '14 c 6-9 offered to Xavier

[tropicalshox]

On his Wake Forest visit.

http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1725-o-mara-talks-wake-forest-visits

Loyola and Xavier have been on O'Mara the longest. VerbalCommits originally ranked the interest level as high for all six of O'Mara's finalists. However, a couple of days ago they dropped Loyola to medium.

[tropicalshox]

Joe Henrickson of rhe Chicago Suntimes thinks O'Mara will pick either Xavier or Loyola due to them being involved the longest. Verbalcommits must agree since they now have them as the only high interest schools.

[tropicalshox]

O'Mara's official visit to WSU was over the weekend.

http://t.co/z5B9FjRek4

[SubGod22]

I've had the feeling that we're a bit on the outside looking in with this guy, but I wouldn't mind having him at all. He's big and fairly skilled for a HS kid. Get him into our weight program and who knows what this kid could do. He and Shaq could be beasts together on the interior.

[1972Shocker]

I've had the feeling that we're a bit on the outside looking in with this guy

You may well be right on in that assessment but sometimes what's as or more important than the impression is how that impression fit with a recruits preconceptions.

Sounds like he came in thinking our facilities might be below par because we are an MVC team. Sounds like the family atmosphere conveyed by the players and coaches made a positive impact and sounds like he may have been a little surprised that he didn't find himself in the middle of a cow pasture.

[pogo]

I like the fact that he met the president and the dean of the engineering school. I wonder if they have an empty locker that they put his name up and a jersey with his name on it hanging in it for a little hint to what it would look like when he arrives next year?

[tropicalshox]

O'Mara has taken visits to Wake Forest and WSU. Officals are also set for Loyola and Xavier. That means Seton Hall or UMass is probably going to be cut.

[The Cat]

Nice article that lays out all of his visits. On its face it looks pretty good for us landing this kid. I really like that his parents came with him and spent about 3 days in the city. I figured he was a longshot but this makes me feel a little better. http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=1537

[im4wsu]

I like the fact that he met the president and the dean of the engineering school. I wonder if they have an empty locker that they put his name up and a jersey with his name on it hanging in it for a little hint to what it would look like when he arrives next year?

Is the shirt with name legal per NCAA? I know in football, anything personalized that is imitating game day is prohibited.

[MadaboutWu]

I saw a tv show on recruiting a couple of years ago in which a recruit was brought onto the court and they played a mock-up radio broadcast where he hit the winning shot in the game. I don't remember any more details like the school. I always thought it would be pretty cool to have Kennedy do a call for recruits provided it's legal.

[jocoshock]

Nice article that lays out all of his visits. On its face it looks pretty good for us landing this kid. I really like that his parents came with him and spent about 3 days in the city. I figured he was a longshot but this makes me feel a little better. http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=1537

Sounds like Loyola might have an inside track. Growing relationship with Porter Moser, up and coming team (at least he thinks), close to home so his family can watch him play all the time,good school academically, building block for the (Loyola) program. Reminds me a little bit of the relationship that grew between Marshall and Stutz...

[SubGod22]

However, if he does want to major in engineering, Loyola is out. I believe Xavier lacks an engineering program as well.

[WSUwatcher]

These days it isn't that hard to get to watch guys play. Obviously, it can be tougher to come to the games in person (although Southwest does now fly nonstop once a day between Wichita and Chicago Midway at a much better price than United charges) -- but really, isn't seeing otherwise unavailable sporting events what the Internet is for?

[pogo]

Well its not like more than half of the damn conference seems to be a 30 minute drive from chi town. Wichita and springpatch would be the furthest and as pointed out its a cheap flight form there to here. Speaking of cheap flights I think I will be doin a roadie when we play loyola.

[1972Shocker]

WORTH NOTING

Sean O’Mara, a senior center at Illinois’ Benet Academy visited WSU basketball earlier this month. O’Mara (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) is down to six schools, including new Missouri Valley Conference rival Loyola.

According to Joe Henricksen of the Chicago Sun-Times Hoops Report, Loyola and Xavier started recruiting O’Mara before the other schools. WSU, as well as Seton Hall, UMass and Wake Forest offered this summer.

Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said several Shocker attributes intrigue O’Mara. He wants to major in engineering. He likes WSU’s reputation for developing big men. The trip to the Final Four and Koch Arena are also important selling points. “The atmosphere at Wichita State is well-known in Chicago,” Heidkamp said. “It’s a great environment to play in.”

Heidkamp describes O’Mara as a post player with excellent scoring and passing skills. “He’s got a very good low-post game,” Heidkamp said. “He sees the floor very well out of the post. He can create shots out of the post, not only for himself, but for others.”

O’Mara appears to be a vital recruit for Loyola coach Porter Moser, who is trying to upgrade the talent to compete in the MVC.

“On paper, it would appear Loyola is up against it with the likes of teams in the Big East, ACC and a Wichita State program fresh off the Final Four.” Henricksen wrote. “Loyola, though, has hung in there, and Ramblers coach Porter Moser has been in on O’Mara long and hard over the past 18 months. Both Xavier and Loyola have been on O’Mara the longest, which the Hoops Report believes will make a difference in this one.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/08/28/296...#storylink=cpy

Hopefully, if we don't nab Sean, then Loyola does.