Syracuse Orange Basketball 2016-2017 Player Previews: Tyus Battle

Each day leading up to Orange Madness we will be releasing our player previews for the 2016-2017 Syracuse basketball season. Today’s player preview: Tyus Battle

After losing senior guard Trevor Cooney to graduation and planned-to-be shooting guard Malachi Richardson to the NBA, the off-guard position became wide open for the 2016-2017 season.

Battle will vie for the starting two guard position with graduate transfer Andrew White. It is possible for both players to start, but Battle and White will both spend time at the off-guard position.

Battle brings great athleticism to Syracuse that should translate to both ends of the floor. He has an innate ability to get to the basket and finish around the rim. Oh and he can dunk. Like really well. Look out.

The challenge for Battle will be to knock down the occasional long ball. He can hit the mid-range with relative ease but he’s best suited attacking the rim. He’s likely to see over 20 minutes a game at the two. How much he plays beyond that will depend on how well he plays defense and Syracuse’s need for White at the forward.

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