731 replies to this topic

[Losangeles]

Thanks for asking, Vic. Yes, I do know the difference between offense and defense. I was just complementing all aspects of his game last night. But let me ask you this: If he was the liability that you think he was, why would Thad Matta play him 29 minutes against the 10th ranked team in the country on that team's home floor? Obviously, I don't have the basketball sense that you have, but I have always thought that ASSETS play, LIABILITIES sit. Maybe it's different in your part of the BVC.

[SportsGranny]

[quote name='Losangeles' date='Nov 17 2010, 02:02 PM' post='276115']

ASSETS play, LIABILITIES sit.

I really like this!!

[caldwell]

They are going to get out and run and he is comfortable with Craft backing up Lighty at point to get them into the offense.
This team is not made up of defensive specialists and will not be asked to do so. In that case it doesn't matter to Matta. If it did, he wouldn't play Deibler.

From what I saw, he won't be backing up anyone at point. Diebler might be limited to busting the zones?

[Corleone]

Ok, what are your thoughts?
There is nothing wrong with averaging 8 ppg and 4 apg for a career.
The fact that he is a defensive liablity is not his fault. That is not to say he is horrible on defense, it has to do with his size and lateral footspeed. Those are two things he cannot control and will need to compensate for .

My thoughts are:

1) You can't make snap judgements after 1 game against good competition...Boynton is going to make a lot of guys look bad because of his ability. Down the road Craft has the potential to be a great defensive player at OSU
2) I will be willing to bet cold hard green he has way better number for this career than 8/4...again, the kid has played in two entire college games and you already have him pegged at 8/4?! Sorry, not buying it.
3) Far be it from me to argue with an expert such as yourself, but I think he already is pretty quick and will undoubtedly get stronger over the next 4 years to fight through those screens. Is there some rule I don't know about that says a kid won't mature and get stronger over a 4 year time span?
4) Yes, he is 6'2" and is not likely to get any taller, therefore there will be nights when the other team's PG will be able to shoot over him. And you are right, he will have to find ways to compensate.
5) The fact they are actually running some semblance of an organized offense makes up for any supposed glaring defensive weaknesses he has (and in my opinion we can't say yet that he has any).

[Antoine Joubert]

Dear Mr. Victorian


I am one poster that is willing to wager that Aaron Craft in his first 2 college games already has better numbers than you did in your 4 years of division I ball. And if you did not coach or play division I you are no more qualified to give expertise critcism than the drunk down at the local pub.

Edited by Antoine Joubert, 17 November 2010 - 07:18 PM.

[Emerson]

Buckeyes looked good last night, theres no doubt about that. Craft looked better than Diebler as he looked lost. But will this game mean the same as it does now if Florida ends up a little better than .500 and another 3rd or 4th place finish in the SEC? They keep saying resume win for either team, but I really don't think florida is all that good as a team. A few standouts but as a team, the press is weak and OSU feasted on breaking the press later in the game.

[Coach]

I thought Craft was very good but I still had my doubts when he went big time. He is the real deal.

No longer have any doubts that he can play on this level. In fact, I will say how he goes OSU goes.

He is one of the best that I have seen.

[dw629]

Its early but there seems to be a name missing...AC maybe!I will be watching this closely but I*m pretty sure Craft will go thru an adjustment period just like I said last spring.This is normal and I believe AC will be instrumental near the end of the season and for 3 years more!AAU is not the big ten.AAU is basically an offensive my turn-your turn show.Big Ten basketball is chesting up players at the 3 pt. line and jumping to the ball EVERY time!!!That is defensive terminology for the uninformed.Do any of you have an idea how hard those 2 simple tasks are? Everytime you are on the court?That is just some of the things a D1 point guard has to learn.There is no breather,there is no play off, everytime people!!!I don*t care what your GPA is most freshman NEED an ADJUSTMENT period. OH yeah,LETS GO UCLA!!!!!

WRONG

[dw629]

I watched the kid for the last 4 years during the summer and he looked pretty good. Then i saw him last night get man handled by HS PG. You can say what you want about last night but the reason LB got beat was LCC's PG did a great job on him. AAU ball is very different the High School ball. I think HS is closer to college then AAU. I have doubts about the kids ability to play at OSU.

WRONG

[dw629]

Desi is faster than Craft and blew by him at least 4 times.

Billy Donovan missed the ball on desi then huh

[dw629]

The kid is a MAC player. Not B10. Don't compare him Deblier. Deblier can shoot and is 6-5. Aaron is not a great shooter and is 6-1. He will be a nice role player his junior and senior year.

WRONG

[Corleone]

dw629, you can make a "hall of fame" from some of the posts on this thread can't you? Too many experts.

[dhsdawg06]

Buckeyes looked good last night, theres no doubt about that. Craft looked better than Diebler as he looked lost. But will this game mean the same as it does now if Florida ends up a little better than .500 and another 3rd or 4th place finish in the SEC? They keep saying resume win for either team, but I really don't think florida is all that good as a team. A few standouts but as a team, the press is weak and OSU feasted on breaking the press later in the game.

It'll be huge come March. The committee likes road wins, period. Even better if it's a road win against a solid or better team. Florida, while not a top 10 team, is a solid team who will be in the tourney come March. I don't know if this can be considered a true resume win, but it'll help a lot.

[a flock of tbirds]

WRONG

Totally wrong after 2 games!!!AC looked PREPARED and COMFORTABLE!!!!30 more games to go before we can declare that he had NO adjustment period but AC is off to a FLYING start!!I am NOT cheering for his failure I honestly believe freshman PGs have an adjustment period.AC may be able to bypass this but 2 games proves nothing either way.He does look like he BELONGS and KNOWS it!!

[Emerson]

I'll wager fla doesn't dance this year.

[caldwell]

I'll wager fla doesn't dance this year.

Billy Donovan's name alone, will get them in the dance.

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

Dear Mr. Victorian


I am one poster that is willing to wager that Aaron Craft in his first 2 college games already has better numbers than you did in your 4 years of division I ball. And if you did not coach or play division I you are no more qualified to give expertise critcism than the drunk down at the local pub.

+1

[gamekeeper]

I am not sure how much of a Liability at defense he was when he was asked to guard the point guard from florida, who was rated as one of the better point guards coming out, and is supposedly one of the faster ones as well. Thad must think Aaron can stay with him, because he asked him to stay with him most of the game. Shooting over him, or posting him up might be a problem, but you can't say that based on this game because florida didn't post him up or put a taller guard out there for him to guard. So, don't be so critical VIC. You and every other critics on here needs to admit the following which none of you said would happen. HE played quality time in the game, and against atop rated team. He had zero turnovers, so the pressure didn't get to him. (Florida's point guard 6 turnovers). He knocked down open shots, when they left him open. This all in his First year, and by the second game. HUMMMMMM

And Like I had said and several other people have said, he is not being asked to score 20 points a game. OSU has people who can score, So he did what he was recruited to do. Play defense, get assits, and score when left open. His game can only go up from there. Can't wait til the Big ten season starts.

[LimaJock]

I love to be right and I will enjoy reading about all the crow Craft doubters will have to eat