731 replies to this topic

[Bruno]

Victorian, Lauderdale when he was in HS may have been in shape, but his freshman year he showed up to camp 20-30 pounds heavier(not muscle). He eventually lost the weight through the season that year. I remember vividly listening to Fran Frachilla(ESPN coverage of the NIT) talking about his earlier season weight problems and how Matta eventually got him back in shape during the season. So yes Vic, Lauderdale had weight problems when he first came to OSU.

[gamekeeper]

Who said I wouldn't be pullin for him?
I'm down on Weatherspoon and Sullinger too, that doesn't mean I want to see them fail.

Just so I am clear here Victorian. You are saying not only would you have not given Craft a D1 scholarship to Ohio State you wouldn't have offered two others of OSU's recruits scholarships either. Just trying to be clear here. Because it looks like you are saying that Ohio State wasted alot of scholarship money. I mean you hated Diebler, (who is Ohio States all time Three point scorer by the way), and you sound like you are bagging on the rest of the recruits this year. Did OSU get anyone you liked this year. Since you are the only that goes out and sees people play.

[paynepanthers]

In looking at comments on this thread it appears that differing criteria or points of analyzing a team or players prospects are in use.

Have you recruited players that bring you into the national championship conversation? That is the primary question that many people ask in evaluating teams and the players on those teams. Will a player log quality minutes? Will a player be a key component in the in-season success of the team? Those are different questions and points of analysis from the national championship conversation question. In the NCAA basketball universe and to many fans, if you are not in the national championship conversation the rest is just window dressing. It does not matter if you have five first team All-Big Ten players, if you don't bring home the Walnut and Bronze at the end of March Madness, what have you achieved? Conference titles are nice but they are really just regional bragging rights.

I think all Buckeye fans hope that Aaron Craft and his teammates stay healthy, have great careers, develop lifelong bonds, and have great success after basketball, but if they don't win national championships they are just photos and stats in future OSU media guides.

I am not saying this is the best or correct way to look at the Buckeyes or any other team but I think it is where we find ourselves in this media-hype driven society.

[gamekeeper]

I would not have offered Craft or Weatherspoon D1 schollies to OSU.
Both are capable D1 players however.
Matta wanted Sullinger and Spoon was coming along with him if Matta wanted to sign Sully.
Sullinger also wanted Craft and most definitely let Matta know that.

I like Thomas a lot, always have.
Sibert is nice. I think we will see more of what he is capable of. He was in a strange situation at Princeton IMO.
Have not personally seen Smith but have heard great things about him from a good source.

I shouldn't be so down on Diebler. That isn't fair. He just is what he is.

One thing I think you miss, is that Some Coaches build teams to fit their style of play. They have penetrators, bigs, shooters, defenders, and they put them together to form a team. Some Coaches go after as many blue chip players than can get and just throw 5 great athletes out there and hope they learn to play together. I don't think Matta wants to do the later, so you have get players like he has chosen this year. 4 year players that will keep your program consistent, and competative from year to year.

And he still doesn't waste a scholarship on Craft just to get Sullinger. he could have gotten another Sullinger without getting Craft if that was the case, you'll see. One day you will be singing praises about how happy your are he is a buckeye.

Edited by gamekeeper, 29 October 2010 - 09:26 AM.

[dw629]

Read the end of article..........

http://www.thelantern.com/sports/senior-li...-five-1.1724194

But I thought Craft wasn't any good because he played in BVC and he had a bad game vs LCC?? So what Thad is saying is that he will handle the ball play great defense and knock down an open jumper sometimes??? Who knew?! According to a lot of people on this thread he was recruited as a scorer.

[Bruno]

Victorian,
Who verbally commited first Sullinger, Spoon, or Craft? Sullinger is the answer. Long before the other two. Heck if OSU would have got Payne(went to MSU), Sully would have still come to OSU, no matter if Spoon or Craft came.

[cubbies4life]

Victorian,
Who verbally commited first Sullinger, Spoon, or Craft? Sullinger is the answer. Long before the other two. Heck if OSU would have got Payne(went to MSU), Sully would have still come to OSU, no matter if Spoon or Craft came.

And AC actually verbally signed on with Tennesee and Pearl as a junior. Glad he changed his mind as Pearl is showing a lot of issues in the way he recruits players and who he recruits.

[gamekeeper]

Well we see next week. Doesn't OSU have a scrimmage coming up next week. Nov. 7th against WAlsh on the Bigten net work.com So we will see how much if any Mr. Craft hits the Floor then.

[ADog]

Aaron will be fine at OSU. It would not surprise me if he is not the starting point guard by the time OSU opens Big Ten play, if not sooner. He has all the tools to flourish at the D1 level. Will he be a superstar and end up in the NBA (which most people think you have to do to be considered successful in college) that remains to be seen but I do not think he will not have too much of a problem adapting to college ball (not saying he is or will be a NBA player). Remember folks...he has been dishing it off to Sully for a couple of years already and has drawn the toughest D assignment on his AAU team for awhile now.
Good Luck Aaron..GO BUCKS!

Just wanted to back up my post from March 12th:

Direct qoute from the latest issue of Buckeye Sports Bulletin talking about the point:

"Freshman Aaron Craft appears to be the leading candidate to take over the position"

Edited by ADog, 02 November 2010 - 09:15 PM.

[a flock of tbirds]

Just wanted to back up my post from March 12th:

Direct qoute from the latest issue of Buckeye Sports Bulletin talking about the point:

"Freshman Aaron Craft appears to be the leading candidate to take over the position"

Good job AC!!!That does speak to his ability as well as the ability of the returning players.However,the returning PGs are not the measuring stick in the big Ten.McCamey,Battle and Lucas are the creme de la creme.Love what your doin AC and weather the storm bro!!!Lets go UCLA!!!!!

[Corleone]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sport...on.html?sid=101

Good start for AC.

[ADog]

Thanks for posting the link Corleone....sounds like Aaron very well will be making an impact for the Bucks this year...

[gamekeeper]

Yeah, 12 points, eight assits, and three rebounds along with 2 steals. In 27 min. of play. Not bad for a Kid from the BVC huh Victorian.
And
The Baylor Scrimmage last week he had 16 points, 13 assists, 4 for 6 behind the arc.

[a flock of tbirds]

Yeah, 12 points, eight assits, and three rebounds along with 2 steals. In 27 min. of play. Not bad for a Kid from the BVC huh Victorian.
And
The Baylor Scrimmage last week he had 16 points, 13 assists, 4 for 6 behind the arc.

Wow! Those are very nice numbers.Keep up the good work AC!!I am pleasantly surprised!!

[Bandido]

Thad Matta didn't get to the position he's in today by being a fool. If he recruits a kid you can bet your bottom dollar the kid can play....... Period ............ And the fact that Tennesee wanted Craft before his junior year pretty well explains the fact that Craft`s a D-1 player with no explanation needed. ........... Any time a kid from this area gets a D-1 offer and takes it I'll root for that kid every day of the week no matter where he goes. Even if he goes to that team up north .................... Some people forget who their neighbors are. But by choice I'm pulling for the guy that busts his butt and plays the game the way it was intended. And Aaron Craft is a perfect example of a kid who gives it his all every time he steps on the floor................. There's no doubt in my mind he'll have a memorable 4 years in Columbus........ And he'll give people in the Findlay area something to be proud of for years to come.

[Corleone]

Thad Matta didn't get to the position he's in today by being a fool. If he recruits a kid you can bet your bottom dollar the kid can play....... Period ............ And the fact that Tennesee wanted Craft before his junior year pretty well explains the fact that Craft`s a D-1 player with no explanation needed. ........... Any time a kid from this area gets a D-1 offer and takes it I'll root for that kid every day of the week no matter where he goes. Even if he goes to that team up north .................... Some people forget who their neighbors are. But by choice I'm pulling for the guy that busts his butt and plays the game the way it was intended. And Aaron Craft is a perfect example of a kid who gives it his all every time he steps on the floor................. There's no doubt in my mind he'll have a memorable 4 years in Columbus........ And he'll give people in the Findlay area something to be proud of for years to come.

Great post!