731 replies to this topic

[Coffeecreek]

'Tis true that Ohio State is returning most of their team next year. I think that holds true for most teams in the Big Ten. As usual, it will be a dogfight when Conference play starts. As for Mr. Craft, I wish him the very best as he moves forward in his basketball career. How will he do there next year? If I knew that I would be sitting next to Matta on the bench instead of talking to all you fine folks here at the RC!! LOL I will say this however; he is going from a D3 high school program to the highest level possible....other than the NBA. Give him time to adjust to college life; to the speed of the game; to his new teammates; to no longer being the "stud" on the team. I am sure he has the tools to compete at this level or he wouldn't have been recruited. Let's give him time to develop those tools.

[a flock of tbirds]

'Tis true that Ohio State is returning most of their team next year. I think that holds true for most teams in the Big Ten. As usual, it will be a dogfight when Conference play starts. As for Mr. Craft, I wish him the very best as he moves forward in his basketball career. How will he do there next year? If I knew that I would be sitting next to Matta on the bench instead of talking to all you fine folks here at the RC!! LOL I will say this however; he is going from a D3 high school program to the highest level possible....other than the NBA. Give him time to adjust to college life; to the speed of the game; to his new teammates; to no longer being the "stud" on the team. I am sure he has the tools to compete at this level or he wouldn't have been recruited. Let's give him time to develop those tools.

Spoken like a SAGE Coffee!!!You were able to capture everything a FRESHMAN has to go thru in your post.I tip my cap to you sir!!!!

[kennytarmac]

Some of you are acting like he received his scholly based on game tapes from BVC games!?!?! Craft was being courted by multiple premier college programs based on his AAU resume...which stacks up against any other PG OSU has signed in recent memory. Will he be a 18-8-8 guy next year or the year after?? Doubt it, but all signs point to him be a very solid 4 yrs player. He has faced very solid competition on the elite AAU circuit, so he's accustomed to going against guys that are much more athletic that anything he face during his varsity career. I've seen the kid play and I came away most impressed with his court vision & overall decision making...probably the two biggest traits to have at the PG position.

[Coffeecreek]

t-bird - You are too kind! I have been around the game a long time. I have seen plenty of "can't miss" prospects who have all the skills and ability but just can't make the adjustments to the college game. And not necessarily on the court but in the classroom; or they are just overwhelmed by the enormity of the campus or they miss their family or friends; maybe they can't stand being away from their girlfriend. Or any of a million other reasons. Again, I wish young Mr. Craft the very best college experience. Thank You again for your kind words!

[Corleone]

Some of you are acting like he received his scholly based on game tapes from BVC games!?!?! Craft was being courted by multiple premier college programs based on his AAU resume...which stacks up against any other PG OSU has signed in recent memory. Will he be a 18-8-8 guy next year or the year after?? Doubt it, but all signs point to him be a very solid 4 yrs player. He has faced very solid competition on the elite AAU circuit, so he's accustomed to going against guys that are much more athletic that anything he face during his varsity career. I've seen the kid play and I came away most impressed with his court vision & overall decision making...probably the two biggest traits to have at the PG position.

The voice of reason....AC was running the show for 3 three straight AAU national championships, and some people think Thad came a callin' because he drops 28 on Arcadia.

There is a difference between AAU and Big Ten basketball, so there is no doubt he will go through a period of adjustment. But you have to remember he will be playing for a coach that expects his guys to play fast, and seems willing to tolerate it even if they get out of control at times. So in that regard the system may be more AAU-like than many others. If AC has already proven he can play at that level, maybe the adjustment won't be as great as some expect.

[ImAnEagle15]

Some of you are acting like he received his scholly based on game tapes from BVC games!?!?! Craft was being courted by multiple premier college programs based on his AAU resume...which stacks up against any other PG OSU has signed in recent memory. Will he be a 18-8-8 guy next year or the year after?? Doubt it, but all signs point to him be a very solid 4 yrs player. He has faced very solid competition on the elite AAU circuit, so he's accustomed to going against guys that are much more athletic that anything he face during his varsity career. I've seen the kid play and I came away most impressed with his court vision & overall decision making...probably the two biggest traits to have at the PG position.

Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding! What lovely prizes do we have for our contestant?

But seriously its refreshing that someone outside of the LB community understands and agrees Aaron is deserving of this scholarship and not writing him off as a lost cause because of one sub-par game.

[Coffeecreek]

I'm an Eagle - Mr. Craft is certainly and undoubtedly deserving of his scholarship....Thad Motta said so. It's not like he has a whole drawer full of scholarships just waiting to be handed out willy-nilly. They are few and precious commodities. I wouldn't concern myself with what anyone else thinks, whether from outside the LB community or even from within. Coach Motta knows talent when he sees it; his track record speaks for itself. And quite frankly, there isn't anyone at the RC who is in a position to determine "who is worthy" and who isn't. To us, it's just a discussion topic where we contribute our 2 cents worth.....to Coach Motta it's his job. He does it very well.

[a flock of tbirds]

Some of you are acting like he received his scholly based on game tapes from BVC games!?!?! Craft was being courted by multiple premier college programs based on his AAU resume...which stacks up against any other PG OSU has signed in recent memory. Will he be a 18-8-8 guy next year or the year after?? Doubt it, but all signs point to him be a very solid 4 yrs player. He has faced very solid competition on the elite AAU circuit, so he's accustomed to going against guys that are much more athletic that anything he face during his varsity career. I've seen the kid play and I came away most impressed with his court vision & overall decision making...probably the two biggest traits to have at the PG position.

Read Coffecreek dude,there is more to being a FRESHMAN than basketball as far as adjusting goes.Butler was pretty highly recruited and somewhat comparable to Craft and after an initial period of ADJUSTMENT Jamar had a SOLID career at OSU.Not lights out but SOLID!!!No shame in that whatsoever!!!

[likeitis]

Aaron Craft will contribute for the Bucks. Especially with Lighty having surgery again. He will be a role player without doubt. On that level EVERYONE is a role player and EVERYONE is all state. Need brains on the court to go with athleticism. Remember Doug Etzler from Crestview. Even if he doesn't, to be offered by Ohio State, means YOU ARE GOOD. All 13 scholarship players on roster were 1st team something. People pass judgement without knowing what it takes to play at that level. Coaches also recruit to accomplish a team G.P.A. requirement and boys like Craft obviously help. Also Ohio State is catching flack for poor graduation rates. Which Craft will help. It all fits into a purpose. Depending on roster, he may redshirt and bulk up. Either way CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YOUNG MAN & BEST OF LUCK! NEWS FLASH...LaBron had a bad game the other day.

[gamekeeper]

A couple of things I would like to comment on. Don't compare Aaron to Butler two different players.
Secondly, I Love how everyone bases their knowledge of how good a basketball player is best on his ablilty to score and how much he scores, and how many points he averages. There is more to a good basketball team than players that can score. Every team has people who can score, the better team have players that can shut players down, and can distribute the ball to the people who can score. They need a player that won't turn the ball over under pressure, and a player that won't pass the ball up quickly when you have a lead just to have someone heave up a 3 point shot, because they think they are hot. Someone that can control the tempo of the game, and watching the Buckeyes blow late quarter leads several times last season, they need someone like that. I am not going to say he is definitely starting, and he will be the man at the end of the game as a freshman, I will say he will see time, and he will be successful at OSU for 4 years. Why? Because no one works harder than Aaron does, and I know for a fact he can guard and play with Big 10 type players, and that is including Turner. Yes he will have some growing pains, because schedule is different, players are better, and stronger. But I can tell you for a fact, all this talk "he can't make or he won't" Keep that up because it doesn't wear on him, it fuels him. He won't miss his girlfriend, he won't get home sick. He won't be lost. He is a 4.0 avg. student, and that is why he will be a great fit for OSU. he will be a 4year player, who is very smart, and smart basketball players, with his abilities are not a dime a dozen. I will argue, that in the college game anymore, great athletes who can jump out of the gym, and average 25-30 points for their HS. teams with a 2.5 avg are. Those are the ones that have a harder time adjusting their games to the College game, becasue they were the man, and now they are not. Craft will be glue that every team needs to keep the team together and focused, that will be his contribution to the game. Just my two cents.

[ADog]

Good Post^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[a flock of tbirds]

A couple of things I would like to comment on. Don't compare Aaron to Butler two different players.
Secondly, I Love how everyone bases their knowledge of how good a basketball player is best on his ablilty to score and how much he scores, and how many points he averages. There is more to a good basketball team than players that can score. Every team has people who can score, the better team have players that can shut players down, and can distribute the ball to the people who can score. They need a player that won't turn the ball over under pressure, and a player that won't pass the ball up quickly when you have a lead just to have someone heave up a 3 point shot, because they think they are hot. Someone that can control the tempo of the game, and watching the Buckeyes blow late quarter leads several times last season, they need someone like that. I am not going to say he is definitely starting, and he will be the man at the end of the game as a freshman, I will say he will see time, and he will be successful at OSU for 4 years. Why? Because no one works harder than Aaron does, and I know for a fact he can guard and play with Big 10 type players, and that is including Turner. Yes he will have some growing pains, because schedule is different, players are better, and stronger. But I can tell you for a fact, all this talk "he can't make or he won't" Keep that up because it doesn't wear on him, it fuels him. He won't miss his girlfriend, he won't get home sick. He won't be lost. He is a 4.0 avg. student, and that is why he will be a great fit for OSU. he will be a 4year player, who is very smart, and smart basketball players, with his abilities are not a dime a dozen. I will argue, that in the college game anymore, great athletes who can jump out of the gym, and average 25-30 points for their HS. teams with a 2.5 avg are. Those are the ones that have a harder time adjusting their games to the College game, becasue they were the man, and now they are not. Craft will be glue that every team needs to keep the team together and focused, that will be his contribution to the game. Just my two cents.

good post and it must be wonderful to KNOW all these things about Aaron!You know he won*t do this or that and the other!!!Do you KNOW the winning powerball numbers too!!!!LOL just kidding,good luck Aaron and give *em h@@l!!

[gamekeeper]

good post and it must be wonderful to KNOW all these things about Aaron!You know he won*t do this or that and the other!!!Do you KNOW the winning powerball numbers too!!!!LOL just kidding,good luck Aaron and give *em h@@l!!

If I knew the winning powerball number I wouldn't be reading Rocket corner, I would be reading more financial websites. I have heard from a very reliable source Aaron has already been giving the OSU players fits with his defense in open gyms, and that includes NBA bound Turner. (AND no I didn't say he was shutting Turner down, I said he gave him fits, which is totally different) Also word has it that Sullinger is giving all the bigs down there fits as well. So for the post that says he can't get his butt up and down the floor, I guess is he is doing fine. I am willing to bet he will see some time off the bench this year as well.

[gamekeeper]

You know what they say, if it's an argument, then chances are, said individual won't make it.

Possibly unless you are arguing with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. Argument being that he makes it at Ohio State as a player. vs. He comes home to mommy, and or stays four years but never makes it off the bench. I am going with the first, and I don't see as much of an argument against. Matta isn't wasting a scholarship on a 6'2" white kid, that according to all critics, can't shoot very well, or isn't physicaly capable in playing in the big ten., for him to sit the bench.

[a flock of tbirds]

If I knew the winning powerball number I wouldn't be reading Rocket corner, I would be reading more financial websites. I have heard from a very reliable source Aaron has already been giving the OSU players fits with his defense in open gyms, and that includes NBA bound Turner. (AND no I didn't say he was shutting Turner down, I said he gave him fits, which is totally different) Also word has it that Sullinger is giving all the bigs down there fits as well. So for the post that says he can't get his butt up and down the floor, I guess is he is doing fine. I am willing to bet he will see some time off the bench this year as well.

Wow if your source is correct NBA general managers must be in a FLUX!!Possible top 3 pick in this years draft is being givin fits by an 18 year old soon to be HS graduate!!! Maybe we are ALL sellin Craft short.Interesting to say the least.I*m also curious as to what bigs are you talkin about?Lauderdale was the ONLY one I remember playin worth a hill of beans.Definitely like Jareds offensive game.He is gonna be a QUALITY threat for OSU next year all the way out to the 3 pt. line IMO.

Edited by a flock of tbirds, 19 May 2010 - 03:21 PM.

[a flock of tbirds]

Possibly unless you are arguing with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. Argument being that he makes it at Ohio State as a player. vs. He comes home to mommy, and or stays four years but never makes it off the bench. I am going with the first, and I don't see as much of an argument against. Matta isn't wasting a scholarship on a 6'2" white kid, that according to all critics, can't shoot very well, or isn't physicaly capable in playing in the big ten., for him to sit the bench.

Dude,relax!I don*t think ANYBODY believes Craft will turn tail and run home to mommy!!Kid is a soldier from all reports!!Some people(ME) feel he will need some time to ADJUST to college.PERIOD! Now about wastin Scholly*s...Offut(torn knee in HS),Simmons and PJ Hill??You don*t see some WASTE there or is your Buckeyes love too strong??Together those guys average about 7 pts. a game.Seems WASTEFUL to me.I like Thad too but like has nothin to do with what I see from those players.Remember the period of time without Turner?Bucks could barely get the ball across halfcourt and Diebler was in witness protection along with those guys I listed.Shoot,now that I think about it Craft can*t be worse than what those guys provided!!

[Common Sense]

Folks, Craft will be fine as a Buckeye. He's played for and against some of the best in the country over the past several summers and done very well. The key, he's got the intangibles! He's smart, he knows how to play the game, he can defend, he knows the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates.

[hoosierdaddy]

can not wait to see him play for the scarlet and grey