Prescott;704711 wrote:You wrote that Craft's lack of lateral quickness would hurt OSU. We are just asking why you think that is the case when Matta and other basketball experts claim that Craft has exceptional lateral quickness. It isn't an argument , it is a debate and you need to back up your belief with something other than "I think".
This is complex, but I will attempt to provide my basis for belief.
Big Ten basketball is unlike basketball in any other major conference. In the big ten the majority of the offenses are predicated on offensive sets and player movement off of picks and screens. As a result the pace of play generally is a bit lower. Players catch and shoot off of screens (higher shooting percentages) and get post touches off of ball reversals (allowance for development of true NBA big men). This is very fundamental basketball. This is basketball to be appreciated, much in the same way fans appreciate big ten football for its commitment to fundamentals, special teams, and the running game.
Unfortunately for Big Ten fans the vast majority of the country does not play basketball in this way. In the ACC, Big East, Big Twelve, etc offenses are predicated on movement with the basketball in hand. A player who seeks to get shots must do so off the dribble. It is not as fundamentally crisp, and more would claim it is "street basketball", however it is what teams all over the country are doing due to the talent on the floor. As a result of these offenses shooting percentages are generally a bit lower. To compensate teams play at a greater pace with the hope of getting more shots.
When I watch Ohio State I see aggressive on the ball defense by Aaron Craft. However this type of defense is not easily achieved against teams outside of conference. I see this defense being played against offenses that have predicated movement. In set play basketball guards are not necessarily looking to penetrate the defense for the purpose of breaking down the offense for a score, but getting into position to set up the offense.
This is where I feel the style of play in the Big Ten has allowed Craft to become one of the revered defenders. As OSU moves out of conference into the tournament he will see offenses and players that will not be moving for the sake of getting into better offensive position (predictive position) but will be moving for the purpose of scoring the basketball (selective and unpredictable movement). It is here that I feel Craft will struggle due to some lack in lateral quickness on the attack. He stays very low and draws quite a bit of lower body contact. If a player is moving toward the basket when the contact is received he is more likely to receive a foul call. If the movement is done for the purpose of turing over a defense and in an effort to begin an offensive set, a foul call is less likely, hence Craft's superior on the ball defense in the big ten.
When I look at Aaron Craft I try to envision him guarding a player like Nolan Smith, Austin Freeman, or Brandon Knight. It is here that I think he will struggle. Fortunately for OSU there are few teams with a guard who can score in the way needed to expose him. Kansas lacks this, Texas to an extent is lacking, as is Pitt. I believe Kentucky has the personnel but lacks consistency, Louisville has the personnel but again consistency, Duke has the personnel but lacks interior play, Purdue is a team that obvioulsy presents an issue but wouldn't play OSU till 8 of FF. UNC doesn't fit the diagram in terms of guard play, but the length of Carolina in combination with matchup potential presents an issue. Against teams that have aggressive wing players and get points from forwards I think OSU will be fine. It is against guards who score the basketball via the drive that I think OSU will be in for trip.
Hopefully that makes sense?
