Syracuse Basketball: Tyus Battle writes possible final chapter in dome

Syracuse basketball star Tyus Battle may have played his final game in the Carrier Dome. Here’s what Battle had to say about it after the game.

Monday night in the Carrier Dome was Senior Night for several Syracuse basketball stars (Frank Howard and Paschal Chukwu) and some less known backups were also recognized. Although someone who wasn’t honored is junior guard star Tyus Battle.

Despite not actually being a senior, many NBA pundits have speculated that this will be the final act of Battle’s Orange career regardless of what happens down the stretch.

After the most recent defeat by way of the Virginia Cavaliers, Battle reminisced about his time with the Orange thus far:

"“I mean I have a lot of memories and it’s crazy how fast time flies. Coming in here as a freshman, wow it’s just amazing. Syracuse has been amazing for me. The family atmosphere is amazing and it helped me grow into the man I am today. I truly love it here.”"

After hearing these words and the emotions on Tyus’s face a follow-up question immediately followed asking if this game was indeed his last in the Carrier Dome?

"“(pauses), I don’t know what’s going on until the end of the season. But I was also saying that last year. I’m here this year and I’m enjoying every game in an Orange uniform.”"

I was in the locker room when these questions were thrown at Tyus Battle and you could tell he was emotional thinking back about his roller-coaster ride on the hill. The logical thought process after Tyus revealed he was returning to Syracuse for his junior season is that it would be his last.

Battle went through the entire NBA Draft process last year (minus signing with an agent) and got a lot of great feedback from NBA teams on what he needed to work on to reach the next level.

Tyus Battle stats:

2017-18:

• 19.2 points per game
• 2.1 assists per game
• 2.9 rebounds per game
• 40 percent from the field

2018-19:

• 17.5 points per game
• 2.5 assists per game
• 3.3 rebounds per game
• 44 percent from the field

Here’s the story from the two seasons. In 2017-18, Tyus Battle was forced to be the hero Syracuse needed due to depth issues. He had to force up a lot of shots because he didn’t have a ton of help.

In 2018-19 everything changed, well sort of. On paper Syracuse seriously upgraded the depth at several positions (including guard). There are pros and cons to that for Tyus.

One of the biggest things I was hoping for and glad it came to fruition was the quality of shots went way up for Battle (obviously evidenced by his field goal percentage increase). He is no longer being forced to take a high level of difficulty shot (although he’s choosing to take those this season and converting at an impressive rate although that’s a different discussion entirely).

While the perceived negative is the reduction in points per game this season. Although if you asked me what would I prefer? A ton of inefficient points per game or a player who changed his game (jumping over to point guard at different points in the season when called upon) but perhaps didn’t maintain the same level of scoring? I’d take the latter every time.

Despite the depth, increase SU has shown that they have desperately needed Tyus in key situations to get them back into games (watch the tape of the first Duke game as an example). Battle has improved as a player each year he has been at Syracuse.

While Tyus may not currently be mocked to any teams in the latest NBA Draft Net rankings, I expect that to change the closer we get to the 2019 NBA Draft.

Whether or not Tyus actually leaves Syracuse after his junior season, the point remains, appreciate Battle while he’s here because you never know when he’ll be gone. Don’t take Tyus for granted because there isn’t going to be another one like him for a long time. Thank you Tyus Battle for the thrilling game-winners, the passion, and the dedication to the Orange!