731 replies to this topic

[The Executioner]

Now that Aaron Craft has finished his fantastic high school career how well do you think he'll do in Columbus the next 4 years?

I thought I heard somewhere that Thad Matta stated that Craft was the best defensive player he's ever recruited and there's little doubt he can run an offense. With that being said I'm going to say I feel he'll have a nice 4 years at OSU. Also wouldn't be surprised one bit if he's running that Buckeye offense as early as next year.

Edited by The Executioner, 11 March 2010 - 09:20 PM.

[roadtoC-town]

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.

[Assasin]

I see him being a solid 4 year player. He'll be a "glue" guy. Play solid defense. Make good decisions and not turn the ball over. He's going to be playing alongside a ton of talent so I think he'll be perfect for them. He won't be a guy that has to get a certain number of shots to stay happy or cause problems when he doesn't get his. He won't need to put up 20 or 30 points for them to win. Every team needs a couple guys like that to go along with the stars. That's what his critics don't understand... his role at the next level will be different than the role LB needs him to play. He's not a great scorer, but he's still a great basketball player.

I've seen other players at the high school level with more talent then him, but I honestly can't think of another guy off the top of my head that had a higher basketball IQ. I look forward to being able to sit on my couch and root for him for once. He is a joy to watch... unless he's beating you

Edited by Assasin, 11 March 2010 - 09:41 PM.

[cubbies4life]

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.

One game means nothing. AAU ball is where college coaches scout and evalulate kids. I saw him play in several AAU tournaments and he was the glue to Ohio Red's team and outplayed blue chips kids who were much more recruited.

He will be a solid PG at OSU.

[Rocketman]

I look forward to being able to sit on my couch and root for him for once. He is a joy to watch... unless he's beating you

^^^^^^
what he said

[cronus]

Aaron if you are reading these I would like to wish you the best of luck. Ignore the negative post and comments and do what you love to do. Again good luck from OG land.

[Maltese Falcon]

I'm guessing he will be the starter at point guard and I think he will succeed because he is going to be playing with a heck of a group of players next year, he is a team player and knows the game.

[Bandido]

I totally agree with the comments of Assassin and Falcon about Mr. Craft. He was recruited by a man (Matta) that obviously knows more than any of us on this forum............. Craft's a pure point guard with great court sense and will be able to find the studs that the Buckeyes have coming in next year. What more could a team ask from a point guard other than ball handling skills, passing skills and the defensive presence that he brings to Columbus............. Craft has the basketball knowledge that Matta wants in a point guard. He'll be a refection of Matta on the court because he has the smarts that all coaches want to see running their team..... I think he'll do well and he'll be logging major minutes for one of the Big Tens best teams.

[Easton]

With Turner and Buford leaving early I see that as good and bad for Craft.
He may get some time but would be better served playing alongside someone like WB or Turner even if for just a year.
OSU's top 5 next year will be Lighty, Diebler, Thomas, D-Laud and Sully. Sounding like Lighty may start out at point while Hill/Smith get minutes and Craft gets groomed.
I feel he will have trouble in the B10 especially defensively. Hopefully he proves me wrong but right now it just looks to me like all he will be able to do is bring the ball up.

Edited by Easton, 11 March 2010 - 10:48 PM.

[rallyinthe9th]

The kid is a great competitor. He will be a good one at Ohio State. I will not be surprised if they win a National Championship while he is there. He is flat out a winner. Can't do it all by himself, but he is one of the best competitors I have ever seen at this age.

I do have one question. What does a kid in this situation do this spring and summer to improve? Do they play tournaments still? I don't know and just was wondering. Obviously the exposure doesn't matter, but get good competition and improving is.

[Easton]

He will be heading to C-Bus shortly after graduation I assume and get in some college/pro leagues that operate during the summer.
He's gonna be busy.

[Maltese Falcon]

Not to mention, as an OSU basketball player he's is going to pick up some hot chicks and get choice seats for buckeye fotball games the next 4 years.


Even though, had he stuck with football, he may have had a field view of games in the horseshoe. The guy is a gifted athlete and probably could have played in the defensive backfield.

[Easton]

Even though, had he stuck with football, he may have had a field view of games in the horseshoe. The guy is a gifted athlete and probably could have played in the defensive backfield.

Ok, calm down, gotta pull the BS card here, I'm sorry.

[missy55]

[quote name='Maltese Falcon' date='Mar 11 2010, 11:02 PM' post='247339']
Not to mention, as an OSU basketball player he's is going to pick up some hot chicks and get choice seats for buckeye fotball games the next 4 years.

I hope his girlfriend has a good sense of humor

[jack crabbe]

Ok, calm down, gotta pull the BS card here, I'm sorry.

Maltese Falcon's conjencture does not seem far-fetched to me...

[giddyup]

When Craft goes to Ohio State and teams have to play him straight up, instead of game-planning for him as the best player on the team, we will all see how good he is. He will be a special player at Ohio State.

Easton, obviously, has never seen him play football. I saw him a few times his junior year and he was, by far, the best player on the field, littered with good players.

By the way, Easton, your crap is getting very old.

[roarintiger1]

If you think about incoming college freshman on a basketball team, you have to think of players with great offensive skills to even be considered to make the team. Most incoming players have not really had to play much defense in high school because many coaches don't demand that out of their star players. When the freshman gets to college, the coach must now teach and demand that his new recruit plays defense. Matta has got to be lickin' his chops. Here comes a player that already knows how to play defense and a player who obviously prides himself on his defensive ability. I think he will be just fine at OSU.

[Easton]

Easton, obviously, has never seen him play football. I saw him a few times his junior year and he was, by far, the best player on the field, littered with good players.

The best, I mean THE best, athletes play in the defensive backfield in college football, and at OSU that is even more true. He has nowhere near the speed or leaping ability to play corner at a major D1 program such as OSU. Those are NFL caliber players in their backfield 7 out of 10 times. This is not a slam on Craft but let's be realistic. #1 He could not play corner at OSU, that's absurd. #2 He isn't big enough to play safety, even more far-fetched.

[rinker]

The best, I mean THE best, athletes play in the defensive backfield in college football, and at OSU that is even more true. He has nowhere near the speed or leaping ability to play corner at a major D1 program such as OSU. Those are NFL caliber players in their backfield 7 out of 10 times. This is not a slam on Craft but let's be realistic. #1 He could not play corner at OSU, that's absurd. #2 He isn't big enough to play safety, even more far-fetched.

You are absurd, get a clue the man can play football. Very quick, fast and strong not to mention football smarts. Playing corner for OSU is not out of the question. One of the best players to come out of Ohio. Stick to basketball bashing Easton you do not know Football. Thanks Mr. Craft you deserve a lot of respect.