Aaron Craft - starting PG?

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Ankle Breaker's avatar

Ankle Breaker

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Nov 3, 2010 9:07 PM
Just wondering what the prospects for Aaron Craft are for getting quality PT and/or starting early on. I saw him play at the Ohio - Ky all star game and was very impressed. Just wondering if anyone has good info on this. I'm already pumped for the season.
Nov 3, 2010 9:07pm
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

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Nov 3, 2010 9:17 PM
Since he has played PG for several members of the OSU team when they were together in AAU ball -- and won a championship or two doing it -- I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he gets decent minutes in the PG role this year. I also expect Lighty to bring the ball down the court at times, and possibly Diebler. But Craft will get some quality time on the court.
Nov 3, 2010 9:17pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Nov 3, 2010 9:34 PM
Im guessing it will be more Point Guard by committee
Nov 3, 2010 9:34pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Nov 4, 2010 12:48 AM
I think you will see a lot of Buford at the PG spot with Thomas at the 3.
Nov 4, 2010 12:48am
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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Nov 4, 2010 9:24 AM
What I hope happens, is Matta identifies his best 5 guys and puts them together, and then let everything else figure itself out.

Craft will play, that is a certainty. Whether he starts or not, I don't know. If he does, who does that move to the bench? The certainties are that Buford, Lighty and Sullinger are starters. Lauderdale and Diebler might get pushed out, but that's something that I don't know if Matta will feel comfortable with.
Nov 4, 2010 9:24am
Wooball's avatar

Wooball

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Nov 4, 2010 9:44 AM
thedynasty1998;544674 wrote:What I hope happens, is Matta identifies his best 5 guys and puts them together, and then let everything else figure itself out.

Craft will play, that is a certainty. Whether he starts or not, I don't know. If he does, who does that move to the bench? The certainties are that Buford, Lighty and Sullinger are starters. Lauderdale and Diebler might get pushed out, but that's something that I don't know if Matta will feel comfortable with.

I agree with you on this, and it is what he did last year. It may have been more out of necessity last year because there was no one else to turn to on the bench, but he played his best 5 guys even though it meant playing Turner at the point and Lighty at the 4.

I'd expect their starting Lineup to Include Buford, Lighty, Sullinger and Diebler. That 5th starter will probably be between Lauderdale, Thomas and Craft. Those 7 guys will probably get most of the PT this year. If Buford, Lighty and Diebler can share the pg duties that would be ideal, as I doubt Craft is currently one of their top 5 players, although I think he is good enough to be in the rotation and play quality minutes. It will be interesting to see if one of the other 3 freshman (Weatherspoon, Sibert or Smith when healthy) will be able to crack into this rotation. 'Spoon is probably the rawest of those 3, but his athleticism and possibility to play some minutes at the 4 could give him the best chance to see some minutes.
Nov 4, 2010 9:44am
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centralbucksfan

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Nov 4, 2010 9:49 AM
thedynasty1998;544674 wrote:What I hope happens, is Matta identifies his best 5 guys and puts them together, and then let everything else figure itself out.

.

Well, I see what your saying. Unfortunately, in the game of basketball, it doesn't always work out that way. You need the "pieces of the puzzle" to come together to have what is needed on a court. The best players dont' always start. Sometimes its ok to have them come off the bench.
I am very interested to see how this all plays out. Its a good problem to have. Matta now has some options available that he hasn't always had at OSU. If someone isn't stepping up, playing well, shooting well...he can now turn to someone else. OSU is short in the post, but other then that, they do have some depth, especially as the wing.

Laley..I personally don't see Buford playing the PG all too much. He is too valuable running the floor, slashing to the hoop and spotting up to shoot. As Hb mentioned, I could see a committee approach.
Ideally, would luv to see Craft step up and be that PG.
We could see a number of different things, lineups early in the season until its figured out. Should be interesting.
Nov 4, 2010 9:49am
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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Nov 4, 2010 10:18 AM
I agree that the top 5 doesn't always work, but I think it does here, because Sullinger is certainly one of the top 5, so you have your big. If it were 5 guards, then it doesn't work.

Matta just has to identify if Lauderdale is more valuable than Diebler. Or if Diebler is more valuable than the water boy (jk).

Thomas will play. I don't expect great things from him this year, so he will be a bonus. I do think Weatherspoon gets minutes just because he is so damn athletic and is a competitor. He plays bigger than what he is and even if it's only 5 minutes a game, he has to get on the floor.
Nov 4, 2010 10:18am
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

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Nov 4, 2010 11:29 AM
Buford is not going to play much at PG.

He's way too valuable off the ball and, honestly, I don't know that his skills of bringing the ball up court are all that good.
Nov 4, 2010 11:29am
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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Nov 4, 2010 11:48 AM
Writerbuckeye;544774 wrote:Buford is not going to play much at PG.

He's way too valuable off the ball and, honestly, I don't know that his skills of bringing the ball up court are all that good.

Who would you trust more with bringing the ball up the court? Honest question. Diebler? Lightly?

I agree that Buford is more valuable playing off the ball, but it might be a necessity for him to share the workload.
Nov 4, 2010 11:48am
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Writerbuckeye

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Nov 4, 2010 12:04 PM
To answer your question, Lighty, hands down.

And Diebler has at least been a PG in his past, so while he isn't the best ball handler in the world, he's probably better than Buford. We know he's a better passer than Buford.
Nov 4, 2010 12:04pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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Nov 4, 2010 12:15 PM
Writerbuckeye;544804 wrote:To answer your question, Lighty, hands down.

And Diebler has at least been a PG in his past, so while he isn't the best ball handler in the world, he's probably better than Buford. We know he's a better passer than Buford.

I'm being unbiased when I say this, but when has Diebler proven to be able to handle the ball? I just don't know what people have seen that makes them comfortable with Diebler having the ball in the open court. Is he capable of the duty? Maybe he is. But for his entire he has rarely put the ball on the ground.
Nov 4, 2010 12:15pm
Wooball's avatar

Wooball

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Nov 4, 2010 2:10 PM
This was posted by Bob Baptist in the Dispatch on October 20th, after seeing a practice:

-- In five-on-five situations in the half-court, William Buford ran the point against Aaron Craft.

Although Matta has said he might use Buford, David Lighty and Jon Diebler, all wings, on the point, it became apparent to me tonight why Buford might be the best option of the three. He was good enough with the ball to beat his man off the dribble and, if he couldn't get to the rim, pull up for a mid-range jumper that is deadly.

Buford and Diebler were almost automatic tonight when left open. Ohio State could use Buford as it used Turner some last season, having him give up the ball early in the possession and, if a better shot doesn't materialize, run him off screens so the ball is back in his hands late in the shot clock.

On the other hand, Buford is not a natural point, and "I've been very pleased with Aaron Craft," who is, Matta said.

Several times during the evening, Matta made reference to Craft's high intellect. From what I saw tonight, Craft is a player who does what he's supposed to do, and can do, and makes few if any mistakes. He played pretty good position defense. He finished off one possession late in the shot clock with a floating runner off the board. On another possession, he probed driving the baseline, didn't have it, turned to take the ball back outside and then reversed again to see if he could catch his defender napping. He couldn't, so he backed it out for good and restarted. That was indicative of a smart player who's not going to force something as long as there's time on the clock for a better option.
Nov 4, 2010 2:10pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Nov 4, 2010 3:38 PM
All Ive read this offseason is how impressive Thomas has been and how Matta wants he and Buford on the court together, and so he has ran Buford at the PG spot a whole bunch.
Nov 4, 2010 3:38pm
Ankle Breaker's avatar

Ankle Breaker

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Nov 4, 2010 3:41 PM
I've seen a number of OSU and other D1 signees play close up at the Ohio-Ky game over the past 10-12 years. I don't remember seeing any future Buckeye that impressed me as much as Craft - and for all the reasons Matta mentioned in the previous post by Woodall. The only exception is that I didn't see where it was mentioned that Craft makes everyone else around him MUCH better. A very heady player...call it a man crush if you like (lol) but I feel they will need to make room for Craft on the floor with significant minutes. JMO Should be a great season.
Nov 4, 2010 3:41pm
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centralbucksfan

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Nov 4, 2010 7:28 PM
Laley23;545105 wrote:All Ive read this offseason is how impressive Thomas has been and how Matta wants he and Buford on the court together, and so he has ran Buford at the PG spot a whole bunch.

Doesn't surprise me about Thomas. The guy is a flat out scorer with inside/outside ability. Being a lefty as well has its benefits. Interesing stuff on Buford at PG. I personally have not seen it. But reading stuff above...who knows.
The only thing I will say...is that practice is one thing, going against top notch competition, the likes of MSU who will pressure the hell out of the ball, is a completely other world.
I personally won't get too excited one way or the other vs the early cupcakes. Gotta see how things progress up to the point when they play a top notch team.
Nov 4, 2010 7:28pm
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Big Gain

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Nov 5, 2010 1:52 AM
By the time the Big Ten season rolls around, I bet Matta goes with a short bench again this year. Sullinger, Thomas, Lighty, Diebler, Buford. One stud post and 4 big guards. Lauderdale subbing for Sullinger, who's 280 pounds will need rests. Craft rotating in for any guard, playing out of necessity with no other true PG, should get 20 minutes a game.
Nov 5, 2010 1:52am
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centralbucksfan

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Nov 5, 2010 4:32 PM
Big Gain;545526 wrote:By the time the Big Ten season rolls around, I bet Matta goes with a short bench again this year. Sullinger, Thomas, Lighty, Diebler, Buford. One stud post and 4 big guards. Lauderdale subbing for Sullinger, who's 280 pounds will need rests. Craft rotating in for any guard, playing out of necessity with no other true PG, should get 20 minutes a game.

Not sure. Matta was quoted as saying no freshman will redshirt. And very good news in that Lenzelle Smith is going to start going full go in practice next week after healing up from his hand injury. He could have possibly been out into Dec. But is now ready to go. I really don't believe Matta will go short on the bench. Too much talent to not sure what he has. So much will depend on who they are playing and matchups though. But I really believe that most of this frosh class will see significant time on the floor.
And based on this article..we in fact may see Buford playing some point as well as Craft getting some significant time.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2010-11-05/matta-has-more-talent-decisions-to-make
Nov 5, 2010 4:32pm
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Writerbuckeye

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Nov 5, 2010 5:58 PM
When Matta has had an experienced AND talented team (meaning talented youngsters) he's played 9 or 10 kids pretty regularly. He hasn't had that luxury since Oden & Co. were here.

I expect to see at least a 9 player rotation -- and maybe a bit deeper than that.

This will be his most talented group since Conley was playing the point -- which is also why I'm so damn excited for the season to start.
Nov 5, 2010 5:58pm
Ankle Breaker's avatar

Ankle Breaker

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Nov 13, 2010 10:52 PM
Craft's first game - 9 assists, 0 turnovers. I know it was NC A&T but still, very impressive. His game will be needed on Tuesday, no doubt.
Nov 13, 2010 10:52pm
P

Prescott

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Nov 16, 2010 9:54 PM
He was very solid against Florida's full court pressure. He may never start, but he is going to play major minutes. He was impressive tonight.
Nov 16, 2010 9:54pm
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mallymal614

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Nov 16, 2010 10:13 PM
If it's not broke, then don't fix it. Right now the Bucks are 2-0 with him coming off the bench.
Nov 16, 2010 10:13pm
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vball10set

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Nov 17, 2010 12:08 PM
^^^agreed--why rush him? he looked awfully good though, especially against the press :cool:
Nov 17, 2010 12:08pm
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centralbucksfan

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Nov 17, 2010 12:11 PM
mallymal614;561861 wrote:If it's not broke, then don't fix it. Right now the Bucks are 2-0 with him coming off the bench.

I said same last nite when someone called for him to start. Matta is developing a rotation and OSU looks good thus far. Craft offf the bench is a nice spark, a good change. If there were issues, I'd think differently. But I don't see it. And as it has been mentioned, starting is a bit overrated. Craft will get his minutes.
Nov 17, 2010 12:11pm
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se-alum

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Nov 18, 2010 1:12 PM
Craft is gonna get 30min/game regardless of whether he starts or not. I like starting off with the big lineup, then if it's not working, go 4 guards.
Nov 18, 2010 1:12pm