Anything except playing Lauderdale at the point would work against those three teams.

Craft needs game experience, and IMO would help the team most by starting. Gives OSU a natural PG, someone to get Buford, Lighty, or Diebler the ball coming off screens, where they can get a quality shot without having to do it themselves. Put Craft at point, with Lighty and Buford on the wings, and Sullinger and Lauderdale down low. This then allows you to bring in Diebler and Thomas off the bench for instant offense.

Craft is getting 30 minutes of "game experience" now. Do you want Craft to play all 40 minutes? By your defination of what Craft does, he brings more "instant offense off the bench" than either Diebler or Thomas could. When Craft comes in at the 4 minute mark of every game Lauderdale usually goes out, which improves the the offense, but hurts the post defense and rebounding. You can't have everything. The detractors have thought Diebler should be off the floor as much as possible for 3 years, it's not going to happen. Diebler is Matta's coach on the floor, very intelligent, a gym rat, son of a coach, has an older brother who played D1 ball, Matta's most trusted player. Ohio State has done extremely well early in all games thus far. Have you heard of John Havlicek? The best 5 players don't always start games, for very good reasons. If Red Auerbach was still alive he would be more than happy to explain the benefits to you.

For one, Craft does not necessarily bring instant offense off the bench. Because like every other player, it takes time to get into the flow of a game. Thomas seems capable of creating his own shot, so having Craft on the floor the same time as him, is not near as important as having Craft on the floor for someone like Diebler. Lets be honest here, how closely do you watch Diebler? Diebler is a spot up shooter, and nothing more. He's mediocre at best in all of these categories: creating his own shot, driving to the rim, rebounding, handling the ball, etc. He does one thing good, and a lot of other things average at best. You would think a "gym rat" would be able to improve certain areas of his game over the past 4 years, but Diebler hasn't really done that. Not to mention, things like being the son of a coach and having an older brother that played D1 ball should have ZERO impact on how much a coach should play you. If Matta uses reasons like those to play Diebler, well then that's a shame. This isn't high school basketball anymore. If Diebler's hitting his shots, then great, keep getting him the ball. But we all know he is very, very streaky. If he's not hitting, there is no reason to have him out on the floor. Starting Craft might make it easier for players like Buford, Lighty, or even Sullinger to get into the flow of the game sooner, by getting them easier shots. You can then bring in Diebler, and Thomas if need be, somewhere around 5-6 minutes into the game. Gets everybody involved in the offense early, and the defense shouldn't suffer anymore than it does with the way the rotation is now.

Accordng to YOU, Craft WOULD bring instant offense off the bench. Your exact words on Craft's value. "Craft gives OSU a natural PG." "Craft would get Buford, Lighty and Diebler the ball coming off screens, where they can get a quality shot without having to do it themselves." That sure sounds like creating "instant offense" to me. Well thought out, good "instant offense", you've just proven why Matta likes to bring Craft off the bench. Again, have you not heard of John Havlicek? Do you not understand the value of someone like him or Craft coming off the bench?

You're the one not being honest when you say Diebler hasn't improved in 4 years. Too bad you don't have tape of Diebler when he was a Freshmen, if you had you wouldn't sound unknowledgeable. Since there are some who question why Diebler plays so many minutes, it's always essential that the explanations are given why Matta thinks of Diebler as he does, his coach on the floor. All of those traits enter into Diebler's make up and Matta's favoring him. Just facts and truths.

Craft may bring offense off the bench, but only once he's into the flow of a game, which takes time. Not as much offense as you might be able to get if you started him, thus allowing Diebler, Lighty, Buford, Sully, or whoever else you have out there with him, all getting involved in the game early and getting a rhythm. Did you happen to watch the game last night? Could you tell me who started in the second half in place of Lauderdale? Ohhh. Thats right. Craft did. Seems Matta isn't so against starting Craft as you make it seem. Great minds think alike

And um no, I don't have tape on Diebler. Are you being serious? Who the hell does that? Are you implying you have been taping Diebler since his freshman year? What are you, his dad? lol. That's kind of creepy man. Find a hobby or something.

I think you both should find a hobby.

Duplicate Tournament Bridge is my hobby..... and yours?.

Jester;595421 wrote:Craft may bring offense off the bench, but only once he's into the flow of a game, which takes time. Not as much offense as you might be able to get if you started him, thus allowing Diebler, Lighty, Buford, Sully, or whoever else you have out there with him, all getting involved in the game early and getting a rhythm. Did you happen to watch the game last night? Could you tell me who started in the second half in place of Lauderdale? Ohhh. Thats right. Craft did. Seems Matta isn't so against starting Craft as you make it seem. Great minds think alike

And um no, I don't have tape on Diebler. Are you being serious? Who the hell does that? Are you implying you have been taping Diebler since his freshman year? What are you, his dad? lol. That's kind of creepy man. Find a hobby or something.

Craft started the 2nd half NOT the beginnng of the game, which has been the debate on this thread.

I'm well aware of the stategeries involved in Craft starting the 2nd half. IUPUI had no one playing over 6-7 and thier PG was 6-1. All could shot from the perimeter. A small PG was needed and playing 2 post players was a detriment in this game.

I tape a lot of major sporting events. You're probably one of those three dollar bill wierdo's who have a 100 movies on tape or dvd that you watch over and over and over.

I already have a hobby, Tournament Duplicate Bridge. One of the two games of intellect. And yours?

1st or 2nd half, starting is starting. And actually no, I have maybe 5 or 6 DVD's, so nice FAIL on your part. I'll watch movies on tv, and any sporting event, including pretty much any basketball game, whether I have ties to the team or not.

And LMAO at tournament duplicate bridge. While you're playing your board game or whatever the hell it is, i'm playing basketball. You know, the sport that's actually being debated in this thread. I'll actually be playing in a league starting Monday, but yeah, you go ahead and think your basketball knowledge is more than anyone else's because you play tournament duplicate bridge. Let me guess, you were in the chess club in high school/college too. LOL.

Jester;596233 wrote:1st or 2nd half, starting is starting. And actually no, I have maybe 5 or 6 DVD's, so nice FAIL on your part. I'll watch movies on tv, and any sporting event, including pretty much any basketball game, whether I have ties to the team or not.

And LMAO at tournament duplicate bridge. While you're playing your board game or whatever the hell it is, i'm playing basketball. You know, the sport that's actually being debated in this thread. I'll actually be playing in a league starting Monday, but yeah, you go ahead and think your basketball knowledge is more than anyone else's because you play tournament duplicate bridge. Let me guess, you were in the chess club in high school/college too. LOL.

"Board game" LOL, once again you show your lack of intellect. You think you're the only one who watches and plays basketball??? Playing basketball in a YMCA church league is your hobby and that's supposed to impress us? LOLOL That's the best you can do? That's all you've got? How embarrassing for you. BTW I dislike chess, but am rated in the top 5% in the country in what I compete in. YMCA bball must be what, the bottom 5% of bball players? I've moved on from my playing and coaching days to a profession far more challenging, but the knowledged gained never wains as long as one continues to study the game.

After starting Craft in second half of the IUPUI game...Matta came back with the starting 5 he has done all season. If a change were to be made, I would think he would have started doing so yesterday. I dont' expect, as far as who starts the game, will change unless things go south real fast. Matta has his rotation set, Craft and Thomas off the bench.

Who said anything about YMCA? Once again, you FAIL. Most of the people i'll be playing with and against have actually played college basketball. Embarrassing? Hardly. Bragging about playing tournament duplicate bridge, a game that has zero relevance to this topic would be embarrassing. I can see this is going nowhere though. I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. So just pop in another tape of Diebler and go play some tournament duplicate bridge. LOL.

Jester;599187 wrote:Who said anything about YMCA? Once again, you FAIL. Most of the people i'll be playing with and against have actually played college basketball. Embarrassing? Hardly. Bragging about playing tournament duplicate bridge, a game that has zero relevance to this topic would be embarrassing. I can see this is going nowhere though. I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. So just pop in another tape of Diebler and go play some tournament duplicate bridge. LOL.

Out of curiosity, where do you play?

Rent the gym from one of the local schools.

Jester;599187 wrote:Who said anything about YMCA? Once again, you FAIL. Most of the people i'll be playing with and against have actually played college basketball. Embarrassing? Hardly. Bragging about playing tournament duplicate bridge, a game that has zero relevance to this topic would be embarrassing. I can see this is going nowhere though. I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. So just pop in another tape of Diebler and go play some tournament duplicate bridge. LOL.

OH...no YMCA organized league, just shooting around in a rented gym LOLOLOL.....You are obviously a FAILure in life. YOU FIRSTasked me if I had a hobby. I told YOU what it was. Then YOU FIRST made light of the hobby you asked about and was the FIRST to "brag" that your hobby was playing basketball(in a rented gym). AFTER you "bragged" about your non-orginaized, pick up basketball shoot around. Is there an organization for this basketball you play?? Is there a National Ranking for this basketball you play?? Are there organized Sectional, District, National and World Tiournaments for this basketball you play? Does this basketball you play require much if any intellect to play?? IT IS embarrassing for you that your biggest accomplishment in life is playing non-organized basketball in a rented gym. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL FAILURE.

All you do is LIE and and sound like an immature whiney teenager. As I have said, I have tapes of major sporting events. some of which are of Ohio State games from the past several years, nothing more.

Jester;599187 wrote:Who said anything about YMCA? Once again, you FAIL. Most of the people i'll be playing with and against have actually played college basketball. Embarrassing? Hardly. Bragging about playing tournament duplicate bridge, a game that has zero relevance to this topic would be embarrassing. I can see this is going nowhere though. I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. So just pop in another tape of Diebler and go play some tournament duplicate bridge. LOL.

OH...I see...no YMCA organized league, just shooting around in a rented gym LOLOLOL.....You are obviously a FAILure in life. YOU FIRST asked me if I had a hobby. I told YOU what it was. Then YOU FIRST made light of the hobby. Then YOU FIRST "bragged" that your hobby was playing basketball(in a rented gym). Is there an organization for this basketball you play?? Is there a National Ranking for this basketball you play?? Are there organized Sectional, District, National and World Tiournaments for this basketball you play? Does this basketball you play require much if any intellect to play?? IT IS embarrassing for you that your biggest accomplishment in life is playing non-organized basketball in a rented gym. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL FAILURE.

All you do is LIE and and sound like an immature whiney teenager. As I have said, I have tapes of major sporting events. some of which are of Ohio State games from the past several years, nothing more, you LIAR.

Of course its a rented gym. Wtf do you want me to do, build one myself? lol. I'm pretty sure my hobby has more relevance in a thread about basketball than yours does. Yes, basketball does require intellect to play, so nice FAIL. I never once "bragged" about playing, all I simply said was that I play. I didn't come on here and be like I average a triple double or some shit like that. And you think that is my biggest accomplishment in life, once again FAIL.

I mean, I knew you were pretty stupid on the Huddle, but damn, you've taken it to a whole new level. Keep playing your tournament bridge though. Maybe someday someone will give a shit, but I highly doubt it.

Also, i'm no longer going to respond to this thread. I'm not getting into this "my life is better than your life" shit. This was meant to discuss OSU basketball, and has taken a big turn. I'm getting back to the sports debating.

Jester;600855 wrote:Of course its a rented gym. Wtf do you want me to do, build one myself? lol. I'm pretty sure my hobby has more relevance in a thread about basketball than yours does. Yes, basketball does require intellect to play, so nice FAIL. I never once "bragged" about playing, all I simply said was that I play. I didn't come on here and be like I average a triple double or some shit like that. And you think that is my biggest accomplishment in life, once again FAIL.

I mean, I knew you were pretty stupid on the Huddle, but damn, you've taken it to a whole new level. Keep playing your tournament bridge though. Maybe someday someone will give a shit, but I highly doubt it.

This thread proves your stupidity and immaturity. BTW Warren Buffett and Bill Gates(that intellect thing) "give a shit". Thus, YOU FAIL!