Sports

Last-second shot a Sweet swish for hot Buckeyes

CRAFT MASTER: Ohio State’s Aaron Craft shoots the game-winning 3-pointer over Iowa State’s Georges Niang with a half-second remaining and then gets a congratulatory hug from coach Thad Matta (above).

CRAFT MASTER: Ohio State’s Aaron Craft shoots the game-winning 3-pointer over Iowa State’s Georges Niang with a half-second remaining and then gets a congratulatory hug from coach Thad Matta (above). (AP)

CRAFT MASTER: Ohio State’s Aaron Craft shoots the game-winning 3-pointer over Iowa State’s Georges Niang with a half-second remaining and then gets a congratulatory hug from coach Thad Matta (inset). (
)

DAYTON, Ohio — The place roared when Aaron Craft delivered. The hometown kid. The hometown team.

Ohio State’s stupendous junior point guard swished the NCAA Tournament’s most memorable shot thus far — a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left yesterday that lifted the second-seeded Buckeyes to an electric 78-75 triumph over No. 10 seed Iowa State.

Craft, who hails from Findlay, Ohio, splashed the jumper before a pro-Buckeye crowd at University of Dayton Arena.

“He’s blessed,” teammate Deshaun Thomas said. “He’s a blessed guy.”

Craft’s shot launched Ohio State into the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year. Ohio State nearly collapsed against the impressive Cyclones, flushing a 13-point second-half lead and finding itself trailing by a point with 2:22 remaining.

Craft also endured a brutal stretch, missing three of five free throws (including the front end of two one-and-ones) and committing a turnover in the final five minutes.

But he also converted a big driving layup, took a critical charge and ultimately drilled the game-winning 3. Safe to say the local kid made pretty good.

“Aaron Craft is Justin Bieber in Ohio,” Buckeyes forward Evan Ravenel said.

Ohio State became the only one of the top five seeds in the West Region to move into the Sweet 16: Gonzaga (1), New Mexico (3), Kansas State (4) and Wisconsin (5) are all history.

Winners of 10 straight, the Buckeyes next face No. 6 seed Arizona, with the victor a strong favorite to reach the Final Four.

With the game tied at 75, a Thomas deflection led to an Ohio State steal with 58 seconds left. Craft missed a jumper, but Iowa State couldn’t control the rebound and the Buckeyes kept possession with 29.9 seconds remaining, set to hold for the final shot.

During a timeout, Ohio State coach Thad Matta drew up a play for Thomas, the team’s top scorer. Craft took the inbounds pass and dribbled on the perimeter. Initially, Iowa State guard Bubu Palo was on Craft, but a switch moved forward Georges Niang onto him. Craft said his read of the defense led to a new plan.

“If they wouldn’t have switched, probably would have been a different play,” he said.

Craft held up his right arm in a lingering follow-through. It ended up as the Switch — then the Swish — Heard Round the World.

“I was in a good situation. If I miss, we still go to overtime,” said Craft, who finished with 18 points and six assists. “It’s not as big of a pressure situation. Obviously, it’s up there.”

Craft, known primarily as a phenomenal defensive player, joked that growing up he dreamed more about “3 … 2 … 1 [seconds left] … taking a charge” as opposed to hitting a game-winner.

Well, Craft also took a crucial charge late in the game. Iowa State led 75-74 with 1:41 left when Will Clyburn converted a driving layup. But the referees ruled Clyburn charged into Craft, whose foot was extremely close to the restricted area line.

The pivotal call prevented Iowa State from going up by as many as four points.

“I spoke with the official, and he determined the defender established legal guarding position outside the restricted area prior to the offensive player leaving the floor to start his shot,” John Adams, the NCAA National Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating, told a pool reporter. “When asked, the official said he did not see the defender’s foot over the restricted area line. By rule, this is not a reviewable play.”