Craft Voted B1G Defensive Player of the Year
Aaron Craft picked up conference Defensive Player of the Year honors tonight as voted by the B1G coaches. The sophomore led the league with 2.4 steals a night and generally resided in the shorts of the opposing point guard.
Jared Sullinger picked up 1st team All Big-Ten honors in both the media and coaches voting while William Buford earned a spot on both 2nd teams.
Deshaun Thomas was a 2nd teamer on the coaches squad and a 3rd teamer as voted by the media.
You can find a full breakdown of the award winners here.
Comments
I dont think it should have, but this kind of caught me off guard. Great for him. the kid works his ass off and is a great rep for the university.
How is Sully not a unanimous selection? MSU fans still chafing over sunday?
Just activated my account. I just really found out about this site in January, and its made the offseason that much more tolerable :)
Keep up the good work!
Welcome!
More surprising is that Buford was picked for the 2nd team over Thomas on the media side...
If coaches vote purely on stats from the games they played against a certain player, I could see Beeline, Ryan and Tubby not voting first team.
Plus don't discount the fact the coaches are probably tired off him bulldozing his way into the lane every time, expecting a call and then whining when he doesn't get the call.
Very happy for Craft. The man is constantly a pain in the arse of the other team. Love it.
Can't really think of anyone more deserving than Craft.
Land-Grant Holyland
But wait, Craft can't score, Sully is a wuss, and Buford has only scored so many points because he's been around longer than God. Oh wait, we won yesterday so we don't hate these guys right now. I forgot.
Congrats boys.
I know people have been frustrated at times this season, but c'mon...look at their record. We're traditionally a football school, so be aprreciative. I wish some people would realize that these kids are out there busting their asses to represent something that we all love...while we sit behind computers and complain about them...smh.
The players are the ones that have called themselves "entitled" and "spoiled brats." Obviously we're not at practice every day but that kind of gives you an indication of what happened during the season if they're calling themselves out.
Fair point, but they are still the guys putting the work in...we are just observing. It's an entertainment thing, if you're not being entertained, don't spend time watching it. It's good to make an effort to refrain from hating on your own team, or at least keeping it to a minumum. I would say we (fans) are those who are truly "spoiled brats."
I think it mainly boils down to watching these same guy dismantle Duke...but then also piss away a lead at home to Wisconsin (and let's not forget we were up 13 at Northwestern before being tied late), and went 3-3 down the stretch before the win at MSU. We know they can play with some of the best teams in the country, it's just furstrating as fans that sometimes they appear to give games away.
I completely understand where you are coming from. Let's just hope that beating MSU at home will give them enough confidence for a rebirth.
I love and completely understand/relate to the sarcasm. Our fans are so ridiculous unless we are undefeated in every sport.
October 20th: National Kenneth Guiton Day
I don't pay too much attention to these awards...especially after Kalin Lucas won Big 10 P.O.Y. over Evan Turner in E.T.'s sophomore season (still put up pretty ridiculous #'s that year) even though Turner was the only unanimous 1st team selection that season, Turner wasn't the unanimous P.O.Y. selection his junior year (despite taking home numerours national player of the year honors), neither Lighty nor Craft was defensive P.O.Y. last season (given to JuJuan Johnson instead), despite Craft being the only unanimous defensive team selection, JuJuan Johnson over Sully for P.O.Y. last year, Matt Painter over Thad Matta as coach of the year last year (really? 16-2 wasn't good enough?).
You could have made a case for Lenzelle Smith to be on the defensive team. Thought Burke was a better freshman than Zeller. Zach Novak getting honorable mention = joke. Kind of surprised Crean didn't take home C.O.Y.
Craft is very deserving...all of these guys are in regards to their individual honors. I will certainly enjoy watching Craft continue his success for the next two seasons...both on and off of the court.
A great honor and very well deserved.
vacuuming sucks
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anytime an opposing guard got to the basket against Craft i would get frustrated/upset...
then i realized what a special player we had in Craft that his play led me to expect him to eliminate the offensive abilities of some of the best PGs in the country
that's embarrassing.. sorry for the overzealous use of the "save" button
^this
We should strive to keep thy name, of fair repute and spotless fame...
(Also, I'm not a dude)
Tom Sleezo says this was his toughest loss in 17 years at TSUN ST.I hope that's true, and he's not just trying to rally his poops.GO BUCKS!
I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.
He also basically guaranteed a win in the B1G tourney...I hope he has to eat those words.
DJ Byrd of Purdue won the sixth man award. Nice. Not bad for a guy Matt Painter recently suspended.
Somebody please tell me where I can find a Craft jersey!
Can't find one anywhere and it's eating me up inside.
It may not be a jersey, but I think it's a better investment.
http://skreened.com/11w/hearts-and-crafts
You should ask this guy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX2LEdEIbGM&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL1C2851B86F39D759
But no, seriously, earlier this year was at Buckeye Corner and was told they heard they'd be getting in the #4 this year, but then were told later it wouldn't happen. My guess is you'll have to wait until next year, unless you can fit into a little tike's size!
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
You can just get a customized jersey. Just have them put #4 on it and leave the name off (or on if you prefer). This is where I got mine.
http://www.collegebasketballstore.com/COLLEGE_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_Jersey...
If you're in Columbus (or happen to visit), College Traditions on Lane Avenue has Craft jerseys in the store. I'm not sure why they don't have any online, though.
Ladybuck, you are a saint! I googled 'College Traditions' to find their website and they do in fact sell #4 bball jerseys! However, I need a medium and the smallest sizes they have available are Large.
Nevertheless, I am deeply encouraged by this revelation that at least SOMEBODY is selling Craft jerseys online, and I am very appreciative of your help.
No problem! I see the sign everyday, and just figure I'm too cheap to buy it right now. I'm always happy to help a fellow buckeye. :)
If Gary Payton was "The Glove" because of his tenacious defense....then Aaron Craft can be "The White Glove", sans any Michael Jackson metaphors
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
Why minus the metaphors? I mean, the opposing guard might as well beat it, because Craft is a smooth criminal. :)
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
hahah alright - yes to the metaphors
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
Congrats to all the award winners. It means little in the scheme of things. However, it's nice to receive some recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty.