http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/blogs/hoops-and-scoops/2012/01/postgame-indiana.html
Ohio State men's basketball: Craft looking to score more as shots become available
By Bob Baptist
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday February 18, 2012
Way back in October, before practice had begun and the options were infinite for the Ohio State men?s basketball team, Aaron Craft spoke of working a lot in the offseason to become a more consistent perimeter shooter, one who opponents would have to account for and, theoretically, leave more room inside for Jared Sullinger to operate.
It?s one thing, though, for Craft to work on his shot in practice, and quite another for him to look for it in a game.
?He?s what everyone wants in a point guard,? Sullinger said. ?Set up the offense, move the ball around, find the hot players. That?s what he?s been doing.
?But at the same time, there?s going to be times when he?s going to have to take those shots.?
How far the Buckeyes go this season could ride on it. They continue their bid for a third consecutive Big Ten championship, and fifth in seven seasons, tonight at Michigan.
?I say it all the time if I?m watching a game: There are opportunities where there?s a shot for him if he?ll just pull the trigger,? former Ohio State point guard Scoonie Penn said of Craft. ?He?s a very unselfish player. He?s the ultimate team guy. But I?ve said from day one: In order for this team to be successful and to reach its goals, he?s going to have to be a guy who is going to have to knock some shots down to keep the defense honest.?
Craft has made 53.8 percent of his shots in Big Ten games, over 10 percent better than what he shot in conference play last season (43.3). He has made 40 percent of his three-point attempts, also better than last season. But his average of five shots per game is about one less than a year ago despite his percentage being second-best among the team?s starting five.
All of which matters little to him.
?If we have Will (Buford) and Jared and Deshaun (Thomas) making shots and doing their thing, I think the best thing I can do is find a way to get them the ball,? Craft said.
cont....
Men's basketball: Buckeyes have a rare Academic All-American
By Bob Baptist
The Columbus Dispatch Friday February 24, 2012
Point guard Aaron Craft became the first Ohio State men?s basketball player in 44 years to be named an Academic All-American, and one of five players to be named to the first team, by the College Sports Information Directors of America yesterday.
Craft, from Findlay, Ohio, is an exercise science (pre-med) major with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.89. He is the first Ohio State men?s player to be so honored since Bill Hosket was named to the first team in 1968.
Craft also was the only sophomore named to the first, second or third teams. The last sophomore to make the first team was D.J. Augustin of Texas in 2008.
?It is a humbling honor. I feel blessed to have achieved it and to snap the Academic All-American drought here at Ohio State,? Craft said. ?But I could not have done it without my parents and the help of advisers here. Maintaining this level of success in the classroom is just as important to me as what we accomplish on the court.?
Craft was joined on the first team by senior Tyler Zeller of North Carolina, junior Mason Plumlee of Duke, senior Brad Loesing of Wofford and junior Matthew Dellavedova of Saint Mary?s (Calif.).
Zanesville native Logan Aronhalt of Albany was named to the second team.
Craft also is one of 11 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best point guard in NCAA Division I by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The list will be reduced to five in early March, and the winner will be announced on March 29.
?Aaron has from day one put great effort into everything he does as an Ohio State student-athlete,? coach Thad Matta said. ?Those efforts have been obvious on the court. Now he is being recognized for his academics, an area in which he takes great pride.?
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