Jim Boeheim says Tyus Battle can’t play point guard; his father disagrees

During Jim Boeheim’s Thursday radio appearance with Brent Axe on ESPN Syracuse, the Hall of Famer was asked if freshman Tyus Battle could potentially play point guard due to the Syracuse Orange’s struggles at that position.

John Gillon and Frank Howard — SU’s two floor generals — are shooting 23.5 percent from the floor during ACC play and have a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Battle, on the other hand, has picked up his game immensely over the past few weeks. He’s scored in double-figures in his last four games, which includes a career-high 21 points against Boston College on January 14.

On the season, Battle is averaging 9.9 points per game, while making just under two three-pointers a game.

And when Boeheim was asked if his star freshman could make the switch to point guard.....

"No," Boeheim said. "No. I can't believe you'd even ask that question. He's never played point in his life. He's been a 3 or 2 for his whole life. How could you even? Just because the point guards aren't playing well doesn't mean we have to move someone over there that's never played there."

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Tyus Battle’s father, Gary, took to Twitter with his reaction to Boeheim’s comments.

It’s Boeheim’s call, and it doesn’t appear that Tyus will get any run at point guard whether the Orange turns this thing around or continues to struggle.

If Battle were to switch to point guard, Andrew White would likely move to the 2-guard. Tyler Lydon would then likely move to the small forward, a position he has traditionally struggled at.

The Orange (11-8, 3-3) travel to South Bend, Ind. to face No. 15 Notre Dame (16-3, 5-1) on Saturday (Noon ET; TV: ESPN).