Aaron Craft named B1G Defensive Player of the Year

Anyone who has watched Aaron Craft do his thing on the court in his first two seasons as an Ohio State Buckeye knows just how much defense matters to the most aggressive yet intelligent guard in the Big Ten Conference. Whether it be stopping the best distributor, putting a stop to the opposing team’s leading scorer, or creating fast break points by ballhawkin’ and stealing the basketball at mid court — any fan of the defensive side of basketball can appreciate the play of the Findlay native.

Yes, even those bums up north (If they are smart enough to comprehend the game of basketball).

Anyways, (Sorry wanted to get my required bashing in early) it was no surprise that when the Big Ten Conference announced it’s end of the season awards, that Aaron Craft was selected by the coaches as the conference defensive player of the year.

Craft, who averaged 2.4 steals per game, ended the season on back to back 4 steal performances. His 75 total thefts are the second highest in a season in school history. Despite being the only unanimous selection to the All-B1G defensive team, Craft’s selection comes as a bit of a surprise, considering the position he plays.

Craft becomes the first guard to win the award since Purdue’s Chris Kramer in 2010. Usually allocated to a forward or center because of so many ways they affect a game defensively, Craft is without a doubt deserving. He says though that everything he does on the floor is a team effort.

“I am humbled by this award. It is certainly not an individual award. I play my best defense when my teammates are at their best. I know my teammates can rescue me if I get beat. It has been a blessing to achieve this accomplishment and share it with the rest of the guys on our team.”

Other Awards (As Selected by Coaches):

***UNANIMOUS SELECTIONS IN ALL CAPS

FIRST TEAM

DRAYMOND GREEN, Michigan State John Shurna, Northwestern Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Robbie Hummel, Purdue Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

SECOND TEAM
Cody Zeller, Indiana, Trey Burke, Michigan William Buford, Ohio State Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, Tim Frazier, Penn State

THIRD TEAM
Brandon Paul, Illinois, Matt Gatens, Iowa, Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan, Keith Appling, Michigan State, Drew Crawford, Northwestern

HONORABLE MENTION
Meyers Leonard, Illinois, Christian Watford, Indiana, Aaron Craft, Ohio State, Lewis Jackson, Purdue, Jared Berggren, Wisconsin, Ryan Evans, Wisconsin

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
CODY ZELLER, Indiana, Aaron White, Iowa, TREY BURKE, Michigan, Branden Dawson, Michigan State, Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Victor Oladipo, Indiana, Draymond Green, Michigan State, AARON CRAFT, Ohio State, Tim Frazier, Penn State, Josh Gasser, Wisconsin

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Draymond Green, Michigan State

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Aaron Craft, Ohio State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Cody Zeller, Indiana

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR:
D.J. Byrd, Purdue

COACH OF THE YEAR:
Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Media Awards:

FIRST TEAM

DRAYMOND GREEN, Michigan State, John Shurna, Northwestern, Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, Tim Frazier, Penn State, Robbie Hummel, Purdue

SECOND TEAM
Cody Zeller, Indiana, Matt Gatens, Iowa, Trey Burke, Michigan, William Buford, Ohio State, Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

THIRD TEAM
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan, Keith Appling, Michigan State, Drew Crawford, Northwestern, Aaron Craft, Ohio State, Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State

HONORABLE MENTION
Meyers Leonard, Illinois, Brandon Paul, Illinois, Jordan Hulls, Indiana, Victor Oladipo, Indiana, Christian Watford, Indiana, Aaron White, Iowa, Zack Novak, Michigan, Branden Dawson, MSU, D.J. Byrd, Purdue, Lewis Jackson, Purdue, Jared Berggren, Wisconsin, Ryan Evans, Wisconsin

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Draymond Green, Michigan State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Trey Burke, Michigan

COACH OF THE YEAR:
Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Final Thoughts:

Coaching Selection – As much as I respect what Tom Izzo has done to bring this team together throughout the season, I have a major disagreement with the coaches and media who selected him as coach of the year. Sure, he led them to a share of the conference title, put a whole new group of players on the same page, and stole some victories on the road that he shouldn’t have. As much as I hate to do it, I believe that it was John Beilein at Michigan that was the coach of the year. This was the first conference championship since 1986. I think it’s safe to say that the Wolverines were “favorites” to compete for the Big Ten title, but they made such huge strides this season in the conference. His team went from .500 in conference play, to 13-5. He lost his best player from a year ago. It’s all subjective at this point and being where you are and playing for something that matters is more important. I bet if he would of swept OSU or MSU he would of gotten it. This isn’t the biggest snub in recent history (LAST YEAR ANYONE!?!!?!?!!?), but I still think scUM is worthy of recognition through their fearless leader.

Buckeye Representation – Man, you know your program is rolling when four of your starting give are considered first, second or third team members. Despite fans believing that this team sold itself short at times, it’s good to see that the media and coaches across the conference respect how talented this team is. Fans need to remember how talented it is too. Now, not to be greedy or anything… but Jared and Deshaun… If you come back next year,  you could be first teamers with your buddy Aaron Craft!

Player of the Year – Though he has his moments, there is no doubt that Draymond Green is deserving of player of the year. His grit alone can win games, he has a knack of getting to the glass, and when he isn’t erratic and selecting good looks, he is a prolific scorer. Anytime you get a player that wins the Player of the Year, and your first thought is how you’d love to have seen him in your team’s colors… You know he’s deserving.

Some Minny Love – Nobody represented Minnesota or Nebraska, but if Trevor Mbakwe would of stayed healthy, I really think the Gophers would of had a .500 season in the conference or better. Tubby Smith is sitting along Bruce Weber on the chopping block, but I hope that Tubby stays. If he could get one year where everyone stays healthy, they could compete with the best of the Big Ten Conference.