Syracuse Basketball: 7 Bold Predictions for the 2019 Season
By Josh Peelman
1. Mr. Clutch (aka Tyus Battle) Returns for his Senior Season
***UPDATE: Battle is heading to the 2019 NBA Draft per Basketball Insider Adam Zagoria, full story here.***
Everyone will think I’m crazy with this prediction, but hear me out. Tyus Battle has talked about getting his degree at Syracuse ever since he arrived on campus. It was a priority even before he ever touched the hardwood in the Carrier Dome. In fact, it was one of the main reasons he came back to school this season at all, in addition to trying to boost his NBA draft stock. Take a look at this quote by Tyus Battle before this season, according to Syracuse.com:
"At the end of the day, it was a win-win situation. I come back here, we have a great team, I have the opportunity to get my degree. I accomplished everything I can as a college basketball player, now hopefully we can win a championship. If I’d left and went to the NBA, that was one of my ultimate goals. -Tyus Battle (courtesy of Syracuse.com)"
Though he may not have helped his draft stock, he did further his studies and now is that much closer to finishing his degree at SU. If he thinks he won’t be selected in this years draft, I can totally see him waiting, coming back for his senior season, rather than go overseas or go to the G-League. Besides can’t you see Tyus loving playing at Syracuse one more time while climbing high up multiple Syracuse basketball records in the process?
Battle may be good as gone, in which case we all must accept it. After all, he did come back and give us one more year already. What more can we ask? However, if he does come back, you better believe he’ll be among the most loved Syracuse basketball players to ever don Orange if he isn’t already.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I really think we’ll see Battle for one more year. If not, the future is still bright. The Orange can survive without Battle, it’ll just be an adjustment.