That moment when your much-ballyhooed college career ends in excruciating fashion.
Dayton trailed Ohio State by one point with 10.8 seconds to go in their opening second-round game of the NCAA tournament. As the Flyers were inbounding the ball, CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist was adding to the legend of Aaron Craft, the hustle-happy Buckeyes point guard.
“In all the years I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of this, Aaron Craft — I think I respect him more as a player than almost any other player I’ve ever seen. He is the total package. If you want to talk student athlete, then he’s your guy.”
Five seconds later, Dayton’s Vee Sanford drove on Craft and banked in a floater for the lead with 3.8 seconds remaining. Craft quickly took the inbound and streaked down the court. Visions of Danny Ainge and Tyus Edney flashed in everybody’s head. He got to the free throw line, took a step through traffic and released his would-be buzzer beater.
It was not to be.
The ball bounded off the rim and landed next to Craft, who was sprawled on the floor with a resigned expression as his college career came to an end.
(GIF via Deadspin)
Craft was a popular punching bag for college basketball fans who disliked the myth making of an above-average point guard who played tenacious defense. But he received those laurels for a reason. He played fine defense on the final shot — Sanford simply beat him — and made the right play for the potential game winner. And when both his offense and defense failed and the game was lost, Craft, a man who had been called “the total package” just seconds earlier, rose from the court, put his hands on his knees, then got in line to shake hands with the Dayton players and coaches.
Say what you want about Aaron Craft. He’s earned your respect, whether you give it to him or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment