tOSU vs. TTUN, Tues 2/11 @ 9p ET, ESPN

[buckeyesin07]

So Thad recruits players with lacking fundamentals? OSU who has developed some really good college big men, but cannot develop Amir?

I'm not exactly sure what the issue is with Amir, but if you don't see a guy who is 6'11" and who brings the ball right down to his waist every time he gets it, thus neutralizing his height advantage, then you're not watching Amir as closely as you think you are. And that's only the beginning. But I'm sure you've convinced yourself that's Craft's fault too.

Start knocking down some three's and watch how good Amir becomes.

Amir plays with Ross, who shoots just about 40% from 3 pt range. And in the past he's played with Thomas, who could score from anywhere on the floor. And yet still we haven't seen it from Amir.

My son and I watch OSU every time they play for the sole purpose of watching Craft play defense, but the Game has changed the last 4 years. If you cannot score as a point guard, you're team is going to have a tough time.

Point guards like Burke have change the game.

Eh, I think you're overrating point guards. Of course a guy like Burke helps any team. But the problem with OSU this year certainly is not Aaron Craft.

 

[Oldguy173]

Woe is me. It hurts to stay up and watch us lose to that team, especially after looking so good in the first half. Shooting continues to be a problem, and we just cant seem to adjust to defense adjustments that others make. The foul on that 3 near the end by Amir was just bonehead. We shoot ourselves over and over. I had high hopes this year, but I've concluded that this team is just average. We are not fixing the things that everyone has talked about all year...rebounding, block outs in the paint, and not relying on plays that are not developing. I still do not understand why we miss so many shots.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

Were you decked out in Michigan gear?

 

[jlb1705]

Eh, I think you're overrating point guards. Of course a guy like Burke helps any team. But the problem with OSU this year certainly is not Aaron Craft.

You don't need your point guard to score, but you do need your best player to do so.

This is by no means a knock on Craft, but this team is always going to struggle as long as he is looked upon as its best player.

 

[Oldguy173]

Could ESPN PLEASE, PLEASE find someone other than Dan Dakich to call these games....bad enough I have to stay up past my bedtime to watch, but then I have to listen to this guy go on and on about what a great coach he thinks he is.

 

[Bill Lucas]

Were you decked out in Michigan gear?


Well I guess Thad does not know basketball since he recruited him, which I do not believe. The bigger issue is Craft, in today's game you need a point guard who can score. Michigan dared Craft to shoot the ball all night, he did once and he air balled it. Get a point guard who can score then teams would not be doubling down on Amir all night.

Amir Williams was a project when he was recruited. Most big men are. He simply hasn't developed much past the project stage on the offensive end.

I love Aaron Craft and the way he plays and how he has represented the university. However, he is the same player as a senior that he was as a freshmen. Extremely limited offensively. Defensively he is a genius.

The point guard that can score is coming next year. Hopefully, he'll be an early contributor.

 

[germ]

Eh, I think you're overrating point guards. Of course a guy like Burke helps any team. But the problem with OSU this year certainly is not Aaron Craft.

I don't think I am overrating point guards in today's game. How many top ten teams have a point guard who opposing teams let them have open three's? Florida's PG is pretty good example of a scoring PG.

When Craft starts knocking down some threes, OSU will win. Walton just sagged off Craft all night. OSU right now is playing 4 on 5 on the offensive side of the ball, Craft IS the best defensive player in CB, but even he cannot make up for what opposing teams are doing to them to stop their offense.

OSU is better than their record and I still think they will go deeper in the tourney than most think.

 

[calibuck]

Last night, in the first half I thought I'd heard the 'popping noise'. That's the sound that is made when someone pulls their head out of their a**. Driving the paint, then dishing for flushes, which brought the defenders in tighter, which opened up the 3's. Wonderful. Movement on O, and tight switches on D. Wow. Then the second half occurred, and none of that occurred. Buckeyes went to the weave, which the way tOSU runs it, takes them farther from the basket than closer. Then Craft (or Scott) pull back and start over, leaving only a few seconds on the clock, which usually results in a long toss by the Buckeyes. Not so wonderful.

Let's hope they get it together IF they get into the dance.

 

[cslewis]

I've mentioned this before. But, it seems that Craft and Scott spent a lot of time on the court together last night. One non-shooting point guard at a time is plenty. It seems like this is a form of "Tressel ball" - "playing not to lose" - "prevent defense".

 

[buckeyesin07]

I don't think I am overrating point guards in today's game. How many top ten teams have a point guard who opposing teams let them have open three's? Florida's PG is pretty good example of a scoring PG.

When Craft starts knocking down some threes, OSU will win. Walton just sagged off Craft all night. OSU right now is playing 4 on 5 on the offensive side of the ball, Craft IS the best defensive player in CB, but even he cannot make up for what opposing teams are doing to them to stop their offense.

OSU is better than their record and I still think they will go deeper in the tourney than most think.

Craft may not be a great shooter, but he can get to the hoop. Not all guards have the ability to do everything. Hell, Stauskas can shoot, but he can't create his own shot or get to the hoop, but I don't hear you applying the same criticism to him for not having an all-around offensive game. And I sure don't hear you blaming him for Morgan's and Horford's woes, like you're blaming craft for Amir's.

 

[buckeyesin07]

You don't need your point guard to score, but you do need your best player to do so.

This is by no means a knock on Craft, but this team is always going to struggle as long as he is looked upon as its best player.

Ross is OSU's best player (at least on offense). And he scored last night.

The problem with last nights game was getting killed on the boards and not being able to hit a three.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Craft is a solid player, but it's clear that he's never going to be the guy who takes a team on his back and leads them beyond the Sweet 16. Oden, Turner and Sullinger were those players. Nobody on isroster has been able to step up and be that guy, and that's why this team is Sweet 16 and best, which I felt back when we were ridiculously ranked in the top 5.

 

[germ]

Craft may not be a great shooter, but he can get to the hoop. Not all guards have the ability to do everything. Hell, Stauskas can shoot, but he can't create his own shot or get to the hoop, but I don't hear you applying the same criticism to him for not having an all-around offensive game. And I sure don't hear you blaming him for Morgan's and Horford's woes, like you're blaming craft for Amir's.

Stauskas can and does get to the rim, and he does create his own shot. Stauskas has made both Morgan and Horford's better with feeding them the ball for easy buckets.

 

[buckeyesin07]

Stauskas can and does get to the rim, and he does create his own shot. Stauskas has made both Morgan and Horford's better with feeding them the ball for easy buckets.

Keep thinking that. I'm talking against Big Ten talent and defenders. Stauskas can get to the rim and create his own shot against Oakland (maybe). He sure as hell wasn't doing it last night (against a guy 5 inches shorter). Or on Saturday against Iowa. Or against Indiana, where he was a non-factor. The list could go on, but you should get the point by now.

 

[WolverineMike]

Craft is a solid player, but it's clear that he's never going to be the guy who takes a team on his back and leads them beyond the Sweet 16. Oden, Turner and Sullinger were those players. Nobody on isroster has been able to step up and be that guy, and that's why this team is Sweet 16 and best, which I felt back when we were ridiculously ranked in the top 5.

What kind of draft stock does Craft have? Is this season going to cause him slide compared to where he was last season? Just curious because I thought he may have tried going pro last year.