Aaron Craft has long been considered a remarkable defensive player.

"All the way back in middle school," says Buckeyes power forward Jared Sullinger, "everyone would talk about how Aaron Craft was the best defender in the state." 

Sports Illustrated's study found Craft to be the most valuable defender (86.3 DRating) on the country's fifth-best defensive team.

Of the Buckeyes' defensive possessions in which he participated, 32.9% ended in turnovers, which is the highest rate of any player in SI's study.

When told of SI's methods for rating defenders Craft said, "Finally, someone who understands! I lose a lot of those steals, and I hate it."

His defensive checklist: "Go chest-to-chest, beat him to the spot, hands to the side"—to avoid fouls, he says.