Syracuse Basketball: 2017-18 Season Report Card

Some would say I’m being a bit too harsh here and that criticism is duly noted. I base this grade off of what the unrealistic expectations were before the season. After Taurean Thompson left, pundits started to think, ‘where the heck is the offense going to come from for the Orange this season?’

Fair question. Which led many (myself included) to think that Tyus Battle would have to drop 20 a night for SU to have a chance this year. He got pretty darn close, but a lot of flaws were revealed in Battle’s game.

Battle struggles to drive to the left. He often can get caught playing ‘hero ball’ trying to put the team on his back and play isolation while the other four members of the team watch. That’s not healthy offense.

But overall SU wouldn’t have sniffed the tournament if Battle didn’t play for the team this year or went down with injury. It’s a double-edged sword and many are hoping he returns to the squad. His confidence and swagger is infectious to the rest of his teammates.