Syracuse Basketball: Trading March Madness For Tyus Battle

This is March Sadness for the Syracuse basketball squad, but it may be worth the dismay. Because the trade off could help SU in a big way next year.

This is the most magical time of the year. March Madness. 64 teams enter the cage and only one steps out as our National Champion. Last year’s game was incredible and winning the championship on a buzzer-beater is as good as it gets.

For me personally going to a local establishment to eat great food, watch the first two days of the tournament with close friends and family is the best. The NIT tournament doesn’t have the same pizazz, I get that.

Heck when I was trying to find the box score for the game I had to find it in a special “NIT folder”, very depressing. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, maybe I’m reaching for this silver lining, but I tend to think I’m not.

While last year’s final-four run was certainly magical, it cost SU a pretty hefty price. Malachi Richardson.

Every time I see these highlights I have to watch the whole thing. But Mr. clutch, showed NBA evaluators that he was NBA ready. The step back jumper, the three point scoring, the fearlessness.

Before the tournament, Richardson wasn’t on NBA radar screens. After the tournament? He was a projected first round pick and fulfilled that destiny by being drafted by the Sacramento Kings.

So I asked people this ridiculous question after last year’s run, would you give that all back for

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another year of Malachi? Of course everyone said no they wouldn’t.

Now SU doesn’t have a choice, they aren’t in the tournament, which sucks for the fans but also doesn’t provide that extra platform for Tyus Battle to impress the NBA powers that be.

Lets be honest, the future of the point guard position for the Orange is bleak. If Franklin Howard transfers, a realistic possibility, then SU will be in desperation mode.

Lets knock on wood before I say this, but SU could lose/will lose: Andrew White, John Gillon, Taurean Thompson, Tyus Battle, Dajuan Coleman, Tyler Roberson, and Tyler Lydon. That would be devastating for this program.

I’m not saying all of those guys that have eligibility will be gone, but it’s possible. Battle could play point guard next year. Battle has shown maturity, a scoring prowess, and NBA potential in his limited action this year.

Although after the Greensboro game, Tyus Battle was asked whether he’d be returning next year.

"“I’ll be back… yeah I’ll be back. I’m pretty sure I’ll be back.” Via Scout.com"

Hardly a resounding end all discussion response from Battle, you can check out his body language in the interview that is hyperlinked above. Although his response in mid-March should be taken with a grain of salt.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Missing The NCAAs Hurts, But Let’s Win The NIT

While the allure of the tournament is definitely what you play for, it won’t hurt hopefully having Battle back in the fold for next season. Hopefully this silver lining can be combined with some gold with the raising of a NIT championship.