SWeberCat02 said:
http://www.stateoftheu.com/2013/9/23/4761196/miami-hurricanes-basketball-recruiting-radar-update-9-23-13
A good summary of Miami's recruiting, including that of Sherman. They are looking to sign up to six (two guards and four bigs), and have two commitments so far, both from guards.
Omar Sherman (PF) - Sherman, from Texas, is an inside-out power forward with a mature post game and range out to the three-point line. Despite increased attention this summer and four-star rankings from both Scout and ESPN, Sherman is still under-the-radar, having only added offers from Georgia Tech and Houston to his Miami, Weber State and Wichita State offers. His recruitment has been quiet, but SOTU confirmed that he was on campus this past weekend. Two prognosticators on 247sports.com have taken the plunge that Sherman will commit to the U - will it happen while his visit is still fresh?
The prognosticators aren't really going out on the edge. Miami is the "biggest" name school out of his group. So, they are assuming that Sherman will go where the $$$ and opportunity supposedly are, but does Miami have a recent ROY??? Weber isn't a bad option. Lillard is proof that a player can get drafted from Weber State, that their are numerous NBA Scouts in the area, due to the Jazz, and that as a Weber State alum can have a great NBA career. Most importantly, if I were Sherman, I'd look at player development, professional opportunity, academic programs, and most importantly, chance for a conference championship, which is always HIGH at Weber State.
Miami, is a great school, and their program is getting better. But can they compete with the likes of UNC, Duke, Maryland, and NC State for a conference championship? Yes, they might make it to the NCAA's, but as an at-large. To me, well, that doesn't say much for the program, as much as the conference the program is in. Other schools do the work of notoriety for the Canes. Even though, I really am impressed with how their program has grown. Yet, how well are the Miami players being developed by the coaching staff??
Wichita State is a great program as well, and a constant MVC contender, but they don't have the same closeness to a professional team that Weber has. Also, Weber makes stops at major cities that have NBA teams close by (Portland, Sacramento, SLC, and Denver/Phoenix are only an hour away from other stops). Chicago is the only stop that Wichita State makes in an NBA town. Only one chance for potential scouts to watch. Whereas, Weber has multiple opportunities and an NBA team in our backyard. The Jazz were a very important part of getting Dame on the radar, even though they really tried to keep him off the radar.
Georgia Tech has the same issues as Miami, but are a bit more adroit at developing players and winning big time games. Biggest issue for Tech is the fact that they came on really late in the recruiting process. I hope Sherman has created associations and relationships with the players and coaches at the schools who have been recruiting him longer.
Houston and North Texas, don't really look like huge contenders, but then again, one never really knows. Both have basketball traditions Phi Slamma Jamma!! But where are they now??
Weber, to me, of course I'm biased lol, has it all. We have proven we can develop players. Look at a couple: Tres, McCoy, Patten went from being a role player to the Big Sky POY with Rahe, and of course Dame. I'm sure there are a lot more that I can point out (Hansen, Panos, Richardson, and of course Bamforth). Weber's staff does an phenomenal job developing players. Weber has lots of degree options, and is a proven commodity in the academic world. There are numerous degree programs that Weber is known for and that are highly respected nationally. Next, Weber visits and is extremely close to NBA teams. If that is his aspiration, then if he works hard he will have plenty of Scouts coming to watch him play. Finally, Weber is always at the top of the Big Sky Conference. With Sherman and the other players now on the team, I have plenty of faith that Weber will be winning multiple Big Sky titles in the future.
