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Jim Boeheim was in ‘heaven’ when he heard Tyus Battle news

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Tyus Battle (25) of the Syracuse Orange shakes hands with head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange after leaving the game late in the second half during the first round of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Tyus Battle (25) of the Syracuse Orange shakes hands with head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange after leaving the game late in the second half during the first round of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim ‘was in heaven’ when he heard Tyus Battle news. Here’s why we’re in heaven too coach.

Tyus Battle, you’re the real MVP. In one of the most anticipated moments of the Syracuse basketball offseason, Tyus Battle surprised everyone when he decided to return for his Junior campaign to play for Jim Boeheim and company.

This was a major decision on multiple fronts. First off Battle returning brought legitimacy to this team as it pertains to the national media for next season.

Based solely on the Battle decision, analysts couldn’t get SU into their preseason top-25 fast enough. While also this was a huge momentum swing for the Syracuse basketball squad in general.

Here’s the thing, Battle’s usage rate was through the roof last season and understandably so. I mean who else was scoring points for the Orange last season?

That’s what I thought. So if Tyus decided to take his talents to the 2018 NBA Draft, SU would’ve had to completely change their offense. That’s a drastic change that occurs on nearly every power-five campus on a given year.

But by coming back, SU has options this year, which is always good. You can never have too many scorers.

But as Jim Boeheim said recently on the College Hoops Today podcast with Jon Rothstein, when he heard the news about Battle returning he was ‘probably in heaven’:

"“I don’t know where I was but I was probably in heaven when I heard the news. I mean it was such great news. We’ve lost so many guys over the last seven years and we finally got one to stay for another year and we have a good one. Tyus didn’t only have a tremendous year, but he’s a tremendous leader, players follow his lead. He took a team that struggled most of last year to the Sweet 16 and I think he can do more. I think he’s that kind of player and we’re lucky to have him back.”"

Wait Boeheim thinks Tyus can be even better than last year?

  • Top-three ACC scorer (over 19 points per game)
  • Played nine more minutes per game than freshman season
  • Plus is another year seasoned under the Boeheim 2-3 zone

Uhm… yes please?

Plus something no one is talking about is the quality vs quantity debate. Last season Battle was mentally fatigued. Every night he had to be the guy for this team and if he wasn’t, Syracuse lost. That wears on you after a while.

This season, SU can rely on a multitude of guys to help spread the love a little bit. Which means Tyus can get more quality shots and not feel like he has to force things up. Which should increase his field goal percentage to something closer to what we saw his freshman season.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 5 records Tyus Battle can break in 2018-19

While Boeheim sticks to a pretty tight rotation, it looks like Battle will get at least some rest next year. Don’t worry Boeheim, we’re in heaven too knowing Battle will be back for one more season inside the loudhouse.

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