Jon Rothstein live from Cuse practice today

[Jeremy L.]

 

[tee1222]

That's a lowball, Rothstein-style
We're even better than that! Maybe he'll make up for it by adding a few more inches to Picachu's height. Honestly, Rothstein's alright by me.

 

[zhanjuzi]

So much for staying under the radar where Cuse typically does best.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein
Franklin Howard has noticeably improved his jump shot. Looks like a different player. Will compete for a starting spot at PG w John Gillon.

Andrew White is going to remind Syracuse fans of Demetris Nichols. A big-time offensive player that gets buckets. Deep range and long.

So much Demetris Nichols in Andrew White...

Syracuse sophomore Tyler Lydon has gained 26 pounds since last season, per Jim Boeheim.

Paschal Chukwu is going to be like Martin Brodeur in the back of Syracuse's vaunted 2-3 zone. It's not shots blocked, it's shots altered.

Early prediction on Syracuse's starting five: Franklin Howard, Tyus Battle, Tyler Lydon, Tyler Roberson, Dajuan Coleman.

Two things that stand out at Syracuse: elite level shooting & elite length in the 2-3. Would expect one 6-4 guy & one 6-7 at top of zone.

Palpable buzz at Syracuse regarding Tyler Lydon. Affects the game in so many ways. Shot blocker, rebounder, initiator, and bucket getter.

 

[pearl31]

just can't see both Gillon and White not starting

 

[Jake]

just can't see both Gillon and White not starting

Me neither. I'm not sure who ends up starting, but that starting five Rothstein put out there is a loooong shot.

I'm hearing that White is absolutely lighting it up in early practices.

 

[General20]

Rothstein didn't come right out and say it, but it sounds like he saw Howard getting the better of Gillon in practice. I've heard that same thing from a couple other people as well. Anybody else have any news on the Howard/Gillon battle for PT?

I have never seen Gillon in a game (just highlights which I don't think you can take much of anything from) but I don't think it would be terrible if Gillon became a press specialist - playing mostly when SU is pressing the opponent and when the opponent is pressing SU. He's a quick guy, and not needing to play a lot of minutes he could go at 1000% when he did play. I also think he'd rack up a decent amount of minutes this way now that we have depth and a shot blocker, especially against Duke who will be our main rival for the ACC title and who will be going without a true point guard at least in their starting/best line up.

 

[CuseMan4]

Lydon is one of the best all around players we have had here in years, would not be surprised one bit if he's a wooden finalist. White like Jake said is doing what the coaches expected, plus some. Tyus is just like Ennis not playing style wise but in the sense that no one is talking about him but a month in he's going to be nationally known. We have every single piece to take it all this year, just need the team to gel and to stay healthy.

 

[SUFan44]

Boeheim - This Is The Best I've Felt About A Team In Four-To-Five Years

 

[tee1222]

So much Demetris Nichols in Andrew White...

Paschal Chukwu is going to be like Martin Brodeur in the back of Syracuse's vaunted 2-3 zone.

Would expect one 6-4 guy & one 6-7 at top of zone.

Now that's the Rothstein we know
But it doesn't even seem like playful exaggeration anymore. Get ready for a fun ride!

 

[EastCoast2]

Rothstein didn't come right out and say it, but it sounds like he saw Howard getting the better of Gillon in practice. I've heard that same thing from a couple other people as well. Anybody else have any news on the Howard/Gillon battle for PT?

I have never seen Gillon in a game (just highlights which I don't think you can take much of anything from) but I don't think it would be terrible if Gillon became a press specialist - playing mostly when SU is pressing the opponent and when the opponent is pressing SU. He's a quick guy, and not needing to play a lot of minutes he could go at 1000% when he did play. I also think he'd rack up a decent amount of minutes this way now that we have depth and a shot blocker, especially against Duke who will be our main rival for the ACC title and who will be going without a true point guard at least in their starting/best line up.

I've heard the same from summer workouts. Howard got the better of Gillon and it was further apart than most would think. I still think Howard starts at PG.

 

[pearl31]

Boeheim - This Is The Best I've Felt About A Team In Four-To-Five Years

srlsy JB's pre/early season assessments are generally spot-on... oh man I'm excited

 

[Jack Hall]

Boeheim - This Is The Best I've Felt About A Team In Four-To-Five Years

Wow-
“Tyus Battle is as good as any first-year player in the country,” Boeheim said. “He’s a really talented player and Paschal Chukwu is going to help us on defense. He’s going to be really good in back of the 2-3 zone.”

 

[orange79]

Wow-
“Tyus Battle is as good as any first-year player in the country,” Boeheim said. “He’s a really talented player and Paschal Chukwu is going to help us on defense. He’s going to be really good in back of the 2-3 zone.”

 

[Oráiste]

my money is on White to start in the backcourt with Howard (but get equal or more minutes at the 3); Battle will be national 6th man of the year.

barring injuries, Gillon should be 8th on the team in minutes in conference play, if not sooner. not a knock on him, just a recognition of the size and talent Howard, White and Battle bring to the guard position.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Lydon is one of the best all around players we have had here in years, would not be surprised one bit if he's a wooden finalist. White like Jake said is doing what the coaches expected, plus some. Tyus is just like Ennis not playing style wise but in the sense that no one is talking about him but a month in he's going to be nationally known. We have every single piece to take it all this year, just need the team to gel and to stay healthy.

What an exciting post!

 

[Orangeman13]

White and Battle start in the backcourt

 

[bballbeadle]

This discussion, and the comments by Rothstein and Boeheim, are like cool, replenishing water poured onto the parched, cracked soil of my soul.

That's right. I said it. My soul is soiled.

 

[RF2044]

my money is on White to start in the backcourt with Howard (but get equal or more minutes at the 3); Battle will be national 6th man of the year.

barring injuries, Gillon should be 8th on the team in minutes in conference play, if not sooner. not a knock on him, just a recognition of the size and talent Howard, White and Battle bring to the guard position.

You are way off target with that assessment of Gillon.

I am confident that your prediction will be swiftly proven false once the season kicks off.

 

[RF2044]

White and Battle start in the backcourt

Doubtful.

 

[RF2044]

Me neither. I'm not sure who ends up starting, but that starting five Rothstein put out there is a loooong shot.

I'm hearing that White is absolutely lighting it up in early practices.

Agreed. Almost a zero chance of White not starting.

 

[SUFan44]

Doubtful.

I'll give you this - you're consistent!

 

[RF2044]

I'll give you this - you're consistent!

And in this case, right. Word on the street: Battle isn't projecting as a lead guard.

Again, time will tell.

 

[iommi]

And in this case, right. Word on the street: Battle isn't projecting as a lead guard.

Again, time will tell.

I've been shouting this for months. Battle is a pure 2. Period. End of quote. He could start at the 1. It's possible. If he does, it would be strictly a cosmetic start.

 

[SoBeCuse]

And in this case, right. Word on the street: Battle isn't projecting as a lead guard.

Again, time will tell.

Interesting. I'm maybe the biggest Battle fan on this board but this is good news. This means that Howard is killing it and we all know Gillon will play plenty at PG as well. Battle can be more versatile and do more damage at the 2, imo. Probably means his shooting is better than advertised as well. Giddy!