Ohio State Buckeyes: Is Aaron Craft the Answer at Point Guard?

Coming into the 2010-11 college basketball season, fans and experts alike all wondered how the Ohio State Buckeyes would fill the void at point guard left by their National Player of the Year, guard Evan Turner, as he departed to the NBA this past spring. 

There was no returning player on the roster who had played point guard for the No. 4 Buckeyes prior to this season. The only true point guard on the team at all was incoming freshman Aaron Craft, who currently is best known for being photographed at Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl's house during a recruiting visit.

Word broke from camp that the Buckeyes were settling in on having William Buford handle the ball in a more of a hybrid guard role rather than as a true point. The starting lineup would consist of Buford, David Lighty, Dallas Lauderdale, Jon Diebler and freshman Jared Sullinger. 

Ohio State's exhibition game saw what coach Thad Matta plans were for the point position. Buford would indeed start at the one, but when Craft would come into the game, he would take over at point and Buford would then slide to his normal position on the wing. Craft was impressive off the bench scoring 12 points while dishing out eight assists against Walsh.

In the season opener against North Carolina A&T, Craft again would come off the bench for the Buckeyes. His play at point provided a spark in the offense as he finished with eight points and nine assists in 22 minutes of action. 

While Ohio State has only played one game this season, there seems to be no doubt that Aaron Craft is a more natural fit at the position than Buford. While he may not have the scoring prowess of Buford or Turner, he is arguably the best fit at the position since Mike Conley. 

The most impressive stat that sticks out is that in his two games of action, Craft has yet to commit a turnover. In the exhibition and season opener, Craft has 17 turnovers to zero turnovers. Yes, there is a lack of difficulty in the opponent, but it shows how well he has protected the ball. 

Ohio State fans will learn first hand how Craft will handle a marquee opponent as the Buckeyes play at No. 11 Florida Tuesday night. If he is able to produce then, there is no question that Matta will have found his answer at point and Craft will be the starting point guard sooner than later.