Sean O'Mara - Commit Xavier OFFICIAL

[mistabeecee41]

Scott Burgess ‏@scott_chihoops 44s
Benet Academy 2014 C Sean O'Mara @S3AN_54 tells me he has committed to #Xavier

[BMoreX]

@musketeerreport: Sean O'Mara has committed to Xavier.

[DC Muskie]

How happy should I be?

[GreatWhiteNorth]

This is wonderful. A big welcome to Sean......you've made the right decision. Congrats to Coach Mack.

[paulxu]

Which generates the unusual "Spots Left Open -1" on verbal commits.

[XUdenver]

http://xavier.scout.com/2/1332038.html

[GoMuskies]

Which generates the unusual "Spots Left Open -1" on verbal commits.

It's not really -1, though. Everyone knows that.

[waggy]

Really great news. Welcome Sean!

[sirthought]

It's good to see more size on coming to the team. We need those big guys who can hopefully shoot.

[Milhouse]

We're loaded down low for the next 4 years.

After last year I think we can all breath a sigh of relief.

[More Cowbell]

http://www.buglenewspapers.com/basketball/article_e61972d8-3d66-11e2-bc41-0019bb30f31a.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-23/sports/ct-spt-0224-prep-bkb-young-benet-20130223_1_sean-o-mara-jahlil-okafor-miles-reynolds

Old article on a game where he matched up against Cliff Alexander and another where he went up against Jahlil Okafor.

[boozehound]

We all knew Mack and company could recruit guards and wings. It's nice to see the Big Men coming into the fold!

[Titanxman04]

Awesome news. It's been a good Xavier week.

[Masterofreality]

I guess that lawsuit really had an effect on recruiting.

[GoMuskies]

Good looking class. Gives us reason to be cautiously optimistic going forward (you're welcome paul).

[PMI]

I guess that lawsuit really had an effect on recruiting.

I'm not sure why this is even brought up, and I don't think the lawsuit itself was ever going to have much of an affect on recruiting, but I know FIRST HAND that the Wells incident last year had a game-changing negative affect on at least one highest priority recruit. This is directly from the horse's mouth, so read it how you will. But it doesn't appear that any affects carried past last summer, and Xavier just put together a really good looking 2014 class, so I am pleased.

[paulxu]

Ack!

[Milhouse]

I'm not sure why this is even brought up, and I don't think the lawsuit itself was ever going to have much of an affect on recruiting, but I know FIRST HAND that the Wells incident last year had a game-changing negative affect on at least one highest priority recruit. This is directly from the horse's mouth, so read it how you will. But it doesn't appear that any affects carried past last summer, and Xavier just put together a really good looking 2014 class, so I am pleased.

If you look at how things played out with this recruit in question some could argue it might be best that he didn't end up at X...

[PMI]

If you look at how things played out with this recruit in question some could argue it might be best that he didn't end up at X...

I'm not sure what recruit you're referring to, but the one I'm talking about has no baggage whatsoever, and anyone associated with Xavier would have been ecstatic to land him. Now, we get to play him twice a year instead.

[Milhouse]

I'm not sure what recruit you're referring to, but the one I'm talking about has no baggage whatsoever, and anyone associated with Xavier would have been ecstatic to land him. Now, we get to play him twice a year instead.

Ah I thought you were referring to Chris Thomas.

[PMI]

Ah I thought you were referring to Chris Thomas.

Oh, no not at all. I definitely think parting ways with him was the right move.

[Masterofreality]

I'm not sure what recruit you're referring to, but the one I'm talking about has no baggage whatsoever, and anyone associated with Xavier would have been ecstatic to land him. Now, we get to play him twice a year instead.

Yeah, I know who you mean. Whatever.

I don't know about "game changing" though. Wasn't a for sure one way or the other.

[PMI]

Yeah, I know who you mean. Whatever.

I don't know about "game changing" though. Wasn't a for sure one way or the other.

If you're talking about the same kid I am, I have no problem assuring that he would've been a VERY valuable addition. One of the most solid and unique high school basketball players I've seen. No use worrying about it now.

[LA Muskie]

I'm not sure what recruit you're referring to, but the one I'm talking about has no baggage whatsoever, and anyone associated with Xavier would have been ecstatic to land him. Now, we get to play him twice a year instead.
I'm guessing you are referring to DVR. I'm curious to hear how likely he was to choose XU over GTown but for the Wells scandal. That said, I have no doubt it had some degree of effect on his decision. I don't see how it could not have. I know it would have mattered to me.

[xufan02]

I'm guessing you are referring to DVR. I'm curious to hear how likely he was to choose XU over GTown but for the Wells scandal. That said, I have no doubt it had some degree of effect on his decision. I don't see how it could not have. I know it would have mattered to me.

He is referring to Villanova freshman Kris Jenkins.

[Masterofreality]

If you're talking about the same kid I am, I have no problem assuring that he would've been a VERY valuable addition. One of the most solid and unique high school basketball players I've seen. No use worrying about it now.

Not denying that he would have been a valuable addition...just not a for sure that he was coming to us whether there was the Dez issue or not.

Yep, same kid.

I think that we have now filled the spot that the kid in question would have filled...with arguably more depth...but a year later.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Not denying that he would have been a valuable addition...just not a for sure that he was coming to us whether there was the Dez issue or not.

Yep, same kid.

I think that we have now filled the spot that the kid in question would have filled...with arguably more depth...but a year later.

Jenkins is a PF who would have competed for time with Reynolds. I call Jenkins a Dejuan Blair type of player, short but a big body. Yes a valuable addition but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[gladdenguy]

Jenkins is better than anybody we have at the 3.

Arizona,
I thought Jenkins was a 3. I could be wrong.

I saw your post after I posted.

[GoMuskies]

Welcome to Xavier Sean. We appreciate you providing an obvious opportunity to bring up Dez Wells again.

[PMI]

Not denying that he would have been a valuable addition...just not a for sure that he was coming to us whether there was the Dez issue or not.

Yep, same kid.

I think that we have now filled the spot that the kid in question would have filled...with arguably more depth...but a year later.

I am sure, for whatever it's worth.


Jenkins is a PF who would have competed for time with Reynolds. I call Jenkins a Dejuan Blair type of player, short but a big body. Yes a valuable addition but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Dejuan Blair was arguably the best PF in the country and led a top 5-10 team all year long. I don't lose sleep over recruiting either, but I wouldn't downplay how good a pickup Jenkins would've been.


Welcome to Xavier Sean. We appreciate you providing an obvious opportunity to bring up Dez Wells again.

On behalf of the whole board, we'd like to show our token of appreciation for GoMuskie's Snarky Ass Post Number 12,000! It's been a long time coming, but we finally got here.

[GoMuskies]

Hey, I should start a new group for that! And you're welcome PMI.

[xudash]

Welcome to Xavier Sean. We appreciate you providing an obvious opportunity to bring up Dez Wells again.

Public reps to go with the private ones. I needed a good laugh today.

[PMI]

For those who have been freaking out about this staff's ability to recruit, I think they put together a pretty damn good class. I love that the class is balanced, as in we could see all of them on the floor together. If O'Mara has the mean streak in him that they say he has on the court and field, he's going to complement our more athletic bigs like Reynolds and London very well. I love that the staff has found a quality big who they're high on.

[xudash]

We now sit at #9 on ESPN's 2014 R Class Rankings.

Nice.

[GoMuskies]

I assume we'll move down from there as some of the highly ranked uncommitted guys pick their schools, but that's a helluva place to be for now.

[blueblob06]

Wow, yep this is crazy to see, Xavier at #9. I love it!

Seton Hall is #4 and Gtown is #5. (And VCU is #6 by the way)
http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/classrankings

I think you're right. As the big-time players decide, some programs will certainly jump us. I'm happy with the 4 we have though for sure.

[PMI]

VCU didn't even make the top 5 nationally! What a terrible addition to the Big East they would've been!

[Titanxman04]

VCU didn't even make the top 5 nationally! What a terrible addition to the Big East they would've been!

I'm actually disappointed that the Big East didn't bring in VCU or hasn't already. I understand small schools all together, but VCU has a program that would add so much strength to an already powerful basketball conference.

[PMI]

I'm actually disappointed that the Big East didn't bring in VCU or hasn't already. I understand small schools all together, but VCU has a program that would add so much strength to an already powerful basketball conference.

Believe me, me too. I was saying that sarcastically, as there are many here who think VCU was not a worthy addition. I couldn't disagree with them more.

[xudash]

Believe me, me too. I was saying that sarcastically, as there are many here who think VCU was not a worthy addition. I couldn't disagree with them more.

If forced to make the decision today, I would go with VCU and SLU.

They would deliver true east and west balance.

They would deliver two programs that have indisputable strong program foundations, and, importantly, demonstrated strong fan support as part of that.

They would deliver two pure new television markets.

And finally, in what could completely derail this thread, they would freeze out once and for all the mellon humpers; the additions of VCU and SLU, with zero indication of any forward expansion by the Big East would relegate the Prider's to discussing their greatness as a NATIONAL UNIVERSITY:

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23740

I actually initially shared this on the Smack Board, but it's gotten better over there. I used to think that UD would be a good addition in the strategic sense, but the fan base is way too delusional if the Priders represent even 1/5th of it.

Here's a recap:

According to humperville, Xavier is in financial trouble due to budget cuts. In reality, those budget cuts are more about realignment than anything else, and included a number of unfilled positions anyway. The University is in the process of setting itself up for effective operations moving forward.

UD's endowment is "huge" compared to Xavier's endowment, according to them. Their endowment is a little over $400 million to Xavier's present $140 million, but UD has twice the undergraduate enrollment of X; total enrollment there is over 11k, compared to X at just under 7k. Of course, they don't offer any commentary on where we're headed as we begin to crank up the silent phase of our next campaign, which happens to be focused on the endowment. Not that they would know where we're headed. Unfortunately for them, given Xavier' overall financial make-up and where we're headed with respect to endowment growth, this will be another area that the humpers will be frustrated about soon enough.

Probably one of the best of all their little "we need to feel better about ourselves" contributions came from a truly ignorant hayseed, who apparently is operating under the belief that Xavier hasn't seen any new campus construction since the Cintas Center in 2000 (i.e. " there isn't a newer building on campus than the Cintas Center" or something to that effect). He's only off by about over $200 million in capital projects, not including Phase One of University Station that is going up now to the tune of $54 million under a joint development agreement.

And, lest we forget, UD is a NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, because it's a major research university, according to humper-land. You just can't make this stuff up.

Xavier's basketball program is better.

Xavier's basketball recruiting is better.

O'Mara picked Xavier in large measure for academic reasons.

Our school is better.

And, as much as the idiots up the road continue to refer to Norwood as the home address, the reality of the situation is this:

Xavier resides at 3800 Victory Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45207

And UD resides in.....Dayton.

[More Cowbell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFTkUcwhVZg

Sounds like he is a big fan of the Staintrain.

[XUFan09]

I think he'll be a solid role player for Xavier down the road. I bet he'll be the first guy left out of the four-man rotation as a freshman, but after that he should be a steady, reliable member of that rotation.

[paulxu]

That fella is a little bit taller than the guy holding the camera.

[More Cowbell]

ESPN3 is replaying Sean O'Mara (Benet) against Marian Catholic

[More Cowbell]

ESPN3 is replaying Sean O'Mara (Benet) against Marian Catholic (Tyler Ullis). Probably will not remain up for long.

[Big Man Fan]

www.pwhoops.com

Sean O'Mara named to first team all tournament at Proviso West Holiday Basketball Tournament while at/near top of 32 team field in both scoring at 24+ ppg and rebounding at 12.5 rpg. He also was named to first team last year as well and now joins elite list of players who have earned honor multiple years including Evan Turner, Jon Scheyer, Michael Wright, Ronnie Fields, Juwan Howard, Marcus Liberty, Daryl Thomas, Glenn "Doc" Rivers, and Isiah Thomas.

[The_Mack_Pack]

It's awesome that he'll have a year to play against Stainbrook in practice. O'Mara is going to be a good one.

[bobbiemcgee]

39/16 - not a bad day:

http://couriernews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/25049890-417/boys-basketball-larkin-cant-stop-sean-omara-as-benet-rolls.html

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Just looked, Larkin's tallest guy is 6'6 followed by 3 guys who are 6'5. I troll a KU board and they went nuts when Cliff Alexander had a near triple double with points, boards, and blocks. Another troll on their board was quick to point out his opponents had no guys over 6'4.

Edit: I really like O'Mara. I am not knocking him just pointing out when you are big like him there are some HS teams who simply can't toss a guy out there to defend you at all.

[Big Man Fan]

Just looked, Larkin's tallest guy is 6'6 followed by 3 guys who are 6'5. I troll a KU board and they went nuts when Cliff Alexander had a near triple double with points, boards, and blocks. Another troll on their board was quick to point out his opponents had no guys over 6'4.

Edit: I really like O'Mara. I am not knocking him just pointing out when you are big like him there are some HS teams who simply can't toss a guy out there to defend you at all.

Watched game on www.highschoolcube.com. It is verse constant double and triple teams. Have seen him play against some of the best big men in the country both in high school (Jahil Okafor and Cliff Alexander) and AAU (Craig Victor and Chris McCullum) and even more impressive one able to man up one on one. Great footwork and vision. Also noted at Reebok camp this summer were 50 of top 100 players were 6'8" or taller he was considered top rebounder.

[Juice]

Just looked, Larkin's tallest guy is 6'6 followed by 3 guys who are 6'5. I troll a KU board and they went nuts when Cliff Alexander had a near triple double with points, boards, and blocks. Another troll on their board was quick to point out his opponents had no guys over 6'4.

Edit: I really like O'Mara. I am not knocking him just pointing out when you are big like him there are some HS teams who simply can't toss a guy out there to defend you at all.

Alexander did have 30 and 13 against Montverde who does have some height besides being the #1 team in the country.

[The_Mack_Pack]

He matches up against Jahlil Okafor for the State Championship tonight. For those who don't know, Okafor is the top overall 2014 recruit and is 6'11''. Should be a good test for the kind of size he'll be going up against in college.

[xsteve1]

O'mara playing now. Here's the link.

http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/93767

[muskienick]

O'mara playing now. Here's the link.

http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/93767

Sean O'Mara's team lost by 2 points in a very low scoring game. Sean afforded himself quite well against Okafor going for 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists while Okafor had 8-6-3. I think that was the 4th straight Class 4A title for Okafor's team.

It would appear that Sean O'Mara can hold his own against the highest rated center coming out of high school this year. This bodes well for the Muskies for years to come (although one game is not a perfect barometer for such things).

[UnCaged]

I haven't seen the box score...how low scoring was this? This brings up a pet peeve, but why are there no shot clocks in hs? I know it would be an issue with incompetence ruining some of the games, but state championships and tournaments? Get these guys on a clock, the 4 corners is an ancient option and should sit on the shelf along with any success dayton's program has ever had.

All that aside, I'm really glad to read that Sean put up a nice effort against "the greatest center who ever lived" version 2014.

[Pluto]

O'Mara had a ton of help in the game with a guy coming over to double Okafor every time he touched the ball. He did well but the gameplan by the HC for Benet was focused on stopping Okafor.

[muskienick]

O'Mara had a ton of help in the game with a guy coming over to double Okafor every time he touched the ball. He did well but the gameplan by the HC for Benet was focused on stopping Okafor.

The important point was that O'Mara was the primary defender of the player who many rank as the top recruit in the Country for 2014. Help or no help, he did his job and did it well. If you saw any of the post-game interviews, you'll also notice that he's a great kid and he spreads the praise to others (including Okafor and the entire Whitney Young team). He's going to be a very good addition to the Muskie squad in the long run but he will likely have a tough transition to the high D-1 college game just as 99.99% of all Freshmen players do. I'd love it if our Coaching Staff can give him and his incoming frosh teammates some significant minutes beyond mop-up time (more than the last minute so that the starters can get their deserved polite applause from the assembled multitude). I'm sure Chris Mack and his fellow coaches would love that luxury as well.