Malachi vs. Tyus

[Cuse23]

While I've watched every play of every game both last year and this year (except for fast-forwarding through most of the 2nd half of the St. John's game this year), I'm no expert when it comes to draft potential...but it seems to me that Malachi was less productive to my eyes last year (other than UVA of course) l, at lest in efficiency than Tyus was this year. And so it surprises me that there was little chatter about Tyus jumping to the NBA this year.

Tyus had 2 fewer boards per game and 2 fewer points per game but was a better three point shooter than Malachi and seemed to be a much better finisher, with both hands. Malachi often seemed to drive furiously into the lane and occasionally draw fouls but rarely finish at the rim. Conversely Tyus seemed very confident in finishing various moves in the lane, converting three point plays and rarely throwing up shots that had no chance (a la Malachi last year).

What also would've been the domino effect of Malachi having stayed for his Sophomore year? We'd have been worse off IMHO.

 

[Trueblue25]

No doubt in my mind he'll be a top 10 draft pick next year and potentially a top 5.

 

[sufandu]

I like Battle more too. Playing well on the way to a final four has always given players a boost.

Battle and Thompson coming back gives us two of the more gifted rising sophomore returning scorers we've had in a long time. I'm excited at the prospect of actually seeing some young guys show potential and then come back with the opportunity to take a big step the next year.

 

[jordoo]

Mali was payed much more attention on the perimeter than Tyus. I don't think Tyus was a better driver but certainly a better finisher. Mali was by far a better deep shooter off the bounce and his release was a lot faster. Either coming back was going to have a great sophomore campaign. We will only get see Tyus's

 

[OrangeDW]

Mali was payed much more attention on the perimeter than Tyus. I don't think Tyus was a better driver but certainly a better finisher. Mali was by far a better deep shooter off the bounce and his release was a lot faster. Either coming back was going to have a great sophomore campaign. We will only get see Tyus's

I would agree on all that. Malachi got to the basket consistently...wasn't a great finisher, but was pretty good at going hard and getting to the line. And yeah, quicker release and had those quick off the dribble moves from 3.

One area where I think Battle is far better is the mid range. He's a much better shooter from that area, has a pull-up and a floater. Malachi didn't do much from that area.

Battle is smoother, and yeah a better finisher. I think we saw this aspect of his game come out once his foot got healthy. I think he'll get to the basket and finish a lot all season next year.

 

[jordoo]

I would agree on all that. Malachi got to the basket consistently...wasn't a great finisher, but was pretty good at going hard and getting to the line. And yeah, quicker release and had those quick off the dribble moves from 3.

One area where I think Battle is far better is the mid range. He's a much better shooter from that area, has a pull-up and a floater. Malachi didn't do much from that area.

Battle is smoother, and yeah a better finisher. I think we saw this aspect of his game come out once his foot got healthy. I think he'll get to the basket and finish a lot all season next year.

Yeah I didn't mention mid range or pull up but I'd have Tyus better at both. He showed some spinning floaters and his pull up inside the arc is pretty.

 

[OrangeDW]

While I've watched every play of every game both last year and this year (except for fast-forwarding through most of the 2nd half of the St. John's game this year), I'm no expert when it comes to draft potential...but it seems to me that Malachi was less productive to my eyes last year (other than UVA of course) l, at lest in efficiency than Tyus was this year. And so it surprises me that there was little chatter about Tyus jumping to the NBA this year.

Tyus had 2 fewer boards per game and 2 fewer points per game but was a better three point shooter than Malachi and seemed to be a much better finisher, with both hands. Malachi often seemed to drive furiously into the lane and occasionally draw fouls but rarely finish at the rim. Conversely Tyus seemed very confident in finishing various moves in the lane, converting three point plays and rarely throwing up shots that had no chance (a la Malachi last year).

What also would've been the domino effect of Malachi having stayed for his Sophomore year? We'd have been worse off IMHO.

I think Malachi had more opportunity as he was healthy all year, and also had Cooney on the other wing who was a bit more limited offensively than White.

I agree that Battle was more efficient and a smoother and more under control finisher around the rim. Malachi often seemed like he didn't have his legs under him and thus didn't elevate well, when going to the hole.

Malachi really had that quick release and those quick fakes and one dribble three that when he was feeling it, was a thing of beauty. That's an NBA level shot if it's falling, because it's pretty much unguardable.

If Malachi stays, I assume we don't go after White. I don't think Malachi would've hit as many 3's at that percentage. I think he would've scored a similar number of points, on a lower percentage. I think he would've provided better ball handling, more assists, and added another dribble drive threat. Rebounds would've been similar.

 

[urban96]

and mali had that crazy wingspan

 

[cuse10]

Tyus is more athletic and IMO has a better all-around game. He will be better than Malachi. Had it not been for an injury, Battle would have been rated a 5* star athlete.

 

[asj410]

and mali had that crazy wingspan

And giant banana hands.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The only thing I worry about with Tyus is his efficiency(especially from 3) as the number 1 option with White/Lydon not here to key on. That's why it's imperative we get some shooters to surround him.

 

[Melancer46]

Battle was a better college player this year than Mali was. In terms of a prospect, I think Battle is better, but it's less clear cut for many of the reasons people have mentioned.

1. Malachi's body: 6'6"-6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan; this is exactly what NBA scouts hope for in a SG.
2. Shooting mechanics: Tyus has a weird little hitch in his shot; Malachi's shooting form was pretty great.
3. Creating his shot: Tyus showed down the stretch that he can really create his own mid-range jumper, especially with the stepback going right that he liked to do. Malachi's moves were generally much more sudden; pulling up for 3 off a hesitation dribble, hitting one dribble stepbacks, shooting out of his jab step, etc.

Malachi didn't do much of anything defensively, and offensively, he was basically just a scorer, and an inefficient one at that, but he had a lot of the tools that NBA teams look for. Personally, I wasn't a fan of him as an NBA prospect, but I understand why NBA teams were attracted to him.

 

[OrangeDW]

Battle was a better college player this year than Mali was. In terms of a prospect, I think Battle is better, but it's less clear cut for many of the reasons people have mentioned.

1. Malachi's body: 6'6"-6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan; this is exactly what NBA scouts hope for in a SG.
2. Shooting mechanics: Tyus has a weird little hitch in his shot; Malachi's shooting form was pretty great.
3. Creating his shot: Tyus showed down the stretch that he can really create his own mid-range jumper, especially with the stepback going right that he liked to do. Malachi's moves were generally much more sudden; pulling up for 3 off a hesitation dribble, hitting one dribble stepbacks, shooting out of his jab step, etc.

Malachi didn't do much of anything defensively, and offensively, he was basically just a scorer, and an inefficient one at that, but he had a lot of the tools that NBA teams look for. Personally, I wasn't a fan of him as an NBA prospect, but I understand why NBA teams were attracted to him.

I think Malachi's playmaking for others was a little underrated. As the season went on, I feel like there was a stretch where he had quite a few games where he was getting 4-5 assists.

 

[Melancer46]

I think Malachi's playmaking for others was a little underrated. As the season went on, I feel like there was a stretch where he had quite a few games where he was getting 4-5 assists.

He had a 5 game stretch where he did that like 4/5 games, but it certainly wasn't something he consistently looked to do. The last 4 games of the NCAA Tournament, he had a total of 2 assists.

I do think he created for others more than Battle did this year.

 

[OrangeDW]

He had a 5 game stretch where he did that like 4/5 games, but it certainly wasn't something he consistently looked to do. The last 4 games of the NCAA Tournament, he had a total of 2 assists.

I do think he created for others more than Battle did this year.

Yeah that must be the stretch I'm thinking. I remember thinking it was a sign that his all around offensive game was growing. But yeah, didn't realize he had so few assists in the tourney.

 

[Ozcuse]

If Battle can develop an instinct when to pass to the wing during his drives to the basket he could end up being Boeheim's dream iso player since he already has nba skills. We need to find that 3pt specialist though.

Also Taurean Thompson has to cut down on fouling by being in poor position and if he can do that, he and Battle can be a very potent 1-2 punch on offense.