Everyone knows about Aaron Craft. They know about his legendary defense, his impressive academic credentials, and his roommates' clever Twitter account. He's a player who is despised by opposing fans while being adored by his own fans (and at least one national commentator).Now, as his college career nears its end, we need to take a moment to tackle exactly what his legacy is. Why do we need to do this? I don't know. It's just what we do. Everything needs to be quantified.
Craft came to Ohio State without a ton of fanfare in 2010. A former Tennessee recruit who ultimately decommitted from the Volunteers, Craft was certainly a highly-regarded prospect out of Findlay. But he was part of a recruiting class that included Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas, Jordan Sibert, and Lenzelle Smith, Jr., who were all even more highly-regarded.
He may have arrived in Columbus with little fanfare, but he won't leave that way.
The love for Craft from Ohio State fans is kind of intense. Some of that love is deserved. He is Ohio State's all-time leader in both assists and steals. He was the Big Ten Tournament MVP last year, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, and he’s twice been the NCAA Academic All-American of the Year.
He's also been a part of some of the most important teams in recent Ohio State history. As a freshman, he played 30 minutes a game as the sixth man on a team that went 34-3. As a sophomore, he was a starter on a Final Four team. As a junior, he hit a game-winning three against Iowa State in an NCAA Tournament game, on a team that ultimately lost in the Elite Eight.
Yet, opposing fans (and some friendly fans or fans with no rooting interest) love to argue that Craft is overrated. They have a case. His outside shooting is not great (it has been horrible at times), he doesn't create open shots for others, and he's been turning the ball over more often than usual this season.
The last time I saw Craft play in person was last season against Kansas. The Buckeyes lost that game, and I remember thinking that their offense looked so much more fluid when Shannon Scott was running it.
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Craft is one of the best on-ball defenders in the game, and his defense was a big key for a team that made it to the Final Four. But his offense prevents him from being able to carry a team on his own, as we've seen this season.
Even if his senior season has been a disappointment, Craft is no less deserving of the appreciation that he will receive during his final home game on Sunday. It has been an incredible ride for Ohio State these last four years, and he's been the face of the program for much of it.
Ohio State fans appreciate that he plays hard, they appreciate that he cares about his classes, and they appreciate that he plays great defense. Defense is half of the game, after all. But they don't need me to justify or defend their adoration. Being a fan shouldn't ever require justification. (Unless you grew up in Ohio rooting for Michigan. Then you have some justifying to do.)
And Craft's legacy, whatever it is, can't actually be decided until his career is over. Sunday may be his final home game, but he still has one more Big Ten Tournament and presumably (hopefully) one more NCAA Tournament.
Nobody is expecting much from the Buckeyes for the rest of March. I have to admit, though, that there's still something about him that makes me believe that anything is possible. That belief is absurd and naïve, but I'm just a fan. That's what fans do.
So, Aaron Craft, this next month will be your final act. How do you want to be remembered?
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