Linesetter
Well-Known Member
Didn't look like the rules changes hurt Wisconsin tonight...
most impressive win of the BIG teams
most impressive win of the BIG teams
Rule changes mean the year of the whistle?
- Thread starter LawVHawk
- Start date
Linesetter
Well-Known Member
I remember this thread for back from the beginning of the season and thought I'd revisit it since it pertains mostly to Aaron Craft and Iowa plays OSU/Craft this weekend. The assumptions in this thread are funny in retrospect.
I don't understand the hate across the country for Craft. The dude is pretty much everything you want a college athlete to be. Smart, tough, strong, almost always makes the right play and WINS. People that assumed Craft wouldn't adjust to the new rules most likely don't understand what constitutes sound defense. He's rarely out of position, doesn't use his hands and anticipates where the offensive player is going to be and reacts in a split second.
Yeah, you could say I'd take that kid on my team any day. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely jealous and had their team just lose to Aaron Craft.
All that being said, Hawks will claim a big win on the road Sunday. As much as I love Craft's defense, that team is not good offensively. If Iowa can score more than 68 points then the Hawks come home with the "W".
You must be Dan Dakich in disguise ... jk, jk
I don't have a problem with Craft. Gasser on the other hand...
Linesetter
Well-Known Member
Bingo, casual fans hate him because they can't come to terms with how he is such a good defender.
Dakich isn't the only one that sees his value. Speaking of Dakich, there was a thread earlier in the year where he said Iowa was a Top 10 team. After Iowa beats OSU on Sunday, I imagine more people might start believing that Dakich knew what he was talking about.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
I don't hate Craft. I used to, but a lot like I did with J.J. Redick, I've finally come to appreciate him for what he is. And I only said I was interested to see how the rules would affect him, since he was one of the guiltiest parties when it came to hand checks and riding his man. He's since proven he's a great defender who CAN play fundamental and "clean" defense, it's just that he knew he didn't have to in the past.
I dislike Craft because just like Tebow in the NFL, he isn't good enough to warrant the amount of praise he gets. Shannon Scott is every bit as good of a defender, if not better, than Craft and gets almost no media attention. Craft is a very average offensive player too and just seems to get an unwarranted amount of media coverage because he is a smart white kid.
Linesetter
Well-Known Member
Disagree wholeheartedly. He's ALWAYS had sound fundamentals. He rarely hand checked his man last year. He has super quick hands so he'd swipe the ball and pick your pocket before you knew it but he rarely fouled.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
I'll take Craft's word over yours. I read an article once (it's been over a year ago and I can't find the story) where he admitted he fouled all the time because he knew he could get away with it. He's proven this year that he could have played great defense without fouling, but he had no reason to do that before, because why do something less effective when you can get away with something more effective?
