Could Syracuse basketball replace Tyus Battle’s production?

We’re unlikely to know whether or not Tyus Battle stays in the NBA Draft until later this month. But still, in the meantime, it’s worth contemplating how the Syracuse Orange might replace his production if he does go pro.

ACC Sports Journal looked at just how much Battle accounted for Orange possessions this past season, and it ends up he was one of just 23 in the country that accounted for 700 or more this year. According to Synergy Sports, which the article utilized, his 27 percent was the highest mark in the ACC — and also the third-highest in terms of total possessions (758) for one player in the conference since 2005-06.

How would SU address that absence? It likely comes down to both Oshae Brissett and Frank Howard improving, plus Elijah Hughes picking up some slack as well. Freshman guard Jalen Carey will also get some run and could actually help right-size last year’s scoring woes. In any case, the onus wouldn’t necessarily fall on a player like Battle to do it all.

The rest of your Syracuse-related links below:

If Tyus Battle remains in the NBA Draft, how will Syracuse replace his insane production? (ACCSports.com)

So, it’s easy to see that Battle played a ton of minutes while scoring over 19 points per game. However, it’s worth noting just how active Battle was on the floor, too. Now, Syracuse’s offense isn’t exactly high on ball or player movement; most of the team’s possessions this season involved Tyus Battle and Frank Howard passing the ball around, then eventually shooting over the top of the defense.

Bracketology: Others’ Missteps Put Penn Back in the Mix (US Lacrosse Magazine)

Should anyone trust Syracuse? Not really. But the Orange’s three top-10 victories and stout schedule will likely carry it to an at-large bid if it beats Colgate on Saturday. A home game, though, is probably a reach at the moment… The Orange’s struggles also hurt Rutgers and Cornell. Both teams banked on a defeat of Syracuse having more value than it does at the moment.

By adding a full-time therapist, Syracuse Athletics wants to put mental health at the forefront (Daily Orange)

deLara said an important first step to better understanding the mental health issues associated with athletes lies in uprooting the stigma that poor mental health is tied to weakness. She said the stigma may trace back to ancient Greek sculptures, as they represent the “perfect specimen of a person.” In a similar way, athletes are considered to be a model, she said.

Syracuse’s ‘numbers guy’ Mike Bosch has built up SU’s program from scratch (Daily Orange)

It was Bosch in a nutshell: He’s quirky, relies on numbers and most of all, loves to work. A head softball coach and mathematics professor at Iowa Lakes Community College for 13 years, Bosch had to balance two full-time jobs. The experience helped as he moved on to the Division-I ranks at Syracuse and was named interim and then head coach, less than three years after his arrival.

What are the Thunder going to do with Carmelo Anthony? — VIDEO (SI.com)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony said that he will not sacrifice his starting role to come off the bench. How big of an issue is this for the team?

Former Syracuse basketball star Hakim Warrick signs with pro team in Israel (Syracuse.com)

After converting from midfield, Ella Simkins has led Syracuse’s defense (Daily Orange)

Syracuse launches Bowerman micro-site for Justyn Knight (Cuse.com)

City Rocks 2019 Big Man Isaiah Stewart Looking To Cut List Soon (FloHoops)

And today’s music selection: