COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hundreds of questions were asked during Ohio State basketball’s media day event Thursday afternoon.

One felt more appropriate than most of the others.

"Where’s Aaron Craft?"

Most respondents chuckled.

Craft’s four years as Ohio State’s point guard felt like 14. He officially left last spring as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in steals, the school record-holder in assists, the NABC National Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team Academic All-American and all-around good guy. Because he can’t really shoot, he went undrafted and is currently trying to make the Golden State Warriors in camp.

He’ll lead the Warriors in floor burns and have a chance.

Back in Columbus, the Buckeyes are preparing for their first game without Craft since the fall of 2010. The point guard position is in capable and experienced hands with Shannon Scott, a senior who played much of the last two years in a defensive-driven, two-point guard lineup with Craft. The Buckeyes bring back four seniors, added another via transfer and have been good enough that they won 25 games in what was considered a down year. A highly-touted freshman class and gifted sophomore Marc Loving join their more experienced teammates to form a team that figures to be competitive in a very competitive Big Ten again.

Just without Craft.

"Aaron’s busy in San Francisco or Oakland," Scott said. "I’m sure he’s doing a great job out there. It has been a little strange without him. I used to go to him with questions a lot.

"The good news I’m used to leading and leading different guys. I’m a senior now. It’s time to make things happen."

Craft’s career spanned David Lighty, Jon Diebler, Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas, Scott, Sam Thompson and Loving.

"It’s weird without him," Thompson said. "I’ve texted him and said, ‘Man, it’s weird.’ It’s weird walking into restaurants and stuff without him. Craft is doing his thing out there. He’s having success and we wish him the best.

"I definitely have to be (a leader) now. I think I was a leader before. I was a guy who people looked to as a leader. It goes without saying that Craft was our leader. If you had to pick one leader, Craft has been that guy. I think I’ve been one of the guys who can lead."

Thompson joked that it’s OK to ask where Craft is now — and that "the answer is in the gym". By the time the season starts in November, though, the Buckeyes have to be ready to play without him.

"It does seem a little weird without him," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "You spend four years with those guys…but what Aaron has meant to this program, I think over time it will even prove itself greater of what he achieved here.

"With that said, I’ve been through this a lot and you learn guys come and go and as long as the coach stays, that’s a good thing."

Matta is entering his 11th year, and the Buckeyes have been very good under his watch. This team returns Amir Williams in the middle, gets graduate transfer Anthony Lee to help Williams on the block, and has Scott at point and Loving and Thompson on the wings. The Buckeyes should again be athletic, solid defensively and ultimately as good as their shooting and offense will be.

"There are a lot of pieces back," Matta said. "Shannon isn’t sharing the point guard spot. That lineup was effective but now it’s Shannon’s time to kind of step out and lead. I think he’s excited about that."