Class of 2016 PG Tyus Battle (NJ) Signed LOI

[CraigForth]

For me the big mystery is going to be who starts and who backs up at the 3, 4 and 5. Richardson has already shown that he can play the 3. He's a decent weak-side rebounder with serious springs. So he can start at the 2 or 3. But in conference games, I like Lydon to start at the 3 .. this will stretch the Defense and he can more than hold his own rebounding at that position. Chukwu probably anchors the zone, with DC2 backing him up (assuming his progression continues slowly). TR can play the 4, with Moyer backing up. But I can see playing DC2/Chukwu/Lydon against the bigger ACC teams. On top of that, we may get another big (Goodluck or Thompson) to add depth at the 4/5. That kind of front court size and depth will match any team in the ACC, maybe the country.

How do you stretch a defense by playing a big man shooter at the 3? The whole point is to play is to play that type of player against a 4 or 5, they have to respect the outside shot and it draws rim protectors out of the paint, theoretically making it a higher percentage play for someone to drive to the rim. Also bigs are uncomfortable defending on the perimeter in general, makes them hesitate to close out and may lead to longer openings for the shooter to shoot.

Not trying to argue, I really like your post overall. To me though, gotta play Lydon at the 4.

 

[cuseguy]

Lydon doesn't have a good enough handle to play the 3 yet.

 

[NYCorange]

How do you stretch a defense by playing a big man shooter at the 3? The whole point is to play is to play that type of player against a 4 or 5, they have to respect the outside shot and it draws rim protectors out of the paint, theoretically making it a higher percentage play for someone to drive to the rim. Also bigs are uncomfortable defending on the perimeter in general, makes them hesitate to close out and may lead to longer openings for the shooter to shoot.

Not trying to argue, I really like your post overall. To me though, gotta play Lydon at the 4.

I completely agree, but we're gonna have a logjam up front next year and our 3 best frontcourt players will likely be Chuckwu, Lydon, and Roberson. They don't really fit on the court at the same time, but do you really see Boeheim not starting a 4th year senior in Roberson? I could also see DCII being better than Chuckwu. I'm also not convinced that Richardson doesn't stay a 3--does he have the quickness and knowledge to play the top? If he stays at the 3, the frontcourt would get really jammed. Honestly, I could see our best lineup being Howard/Joseph, Battle, Richardson, Lydon, Chuckwu. But that's bringing a 5th year senior and a 4th year senior off the bench.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I completely agree, but we're gonna have a logjam up front next year and our 3 best frontcourt players will likely be Chuckwu, Lydon, and Roberson. They don't really fit on the court at the same time, but do you really see Boeheim not starting a 4th year senior in Roberson? I could also see DCII being better than Chuckwu. I'm also not convinced that Richardson doesn't stay a 3--does he have the quickness and knowledge to play the top? If he stays at the 3, the frontcourt would get really jammed. Honestly, I could see our best lineup being Howard/Joseph, Battle, Richardson, Lydon, Chuckwu. But that's bringing a 5th year senior and a 4th year senior off the bench.

Richardson playing at the two is completely dependent upong improving his handle and his passing, both of which are currently below average for a starting 2 guard and why he plays strictly the 3 this year.

 

[CraigForth]

I completely agree, but we're gonna have a logjam up front next year and our 3 best frontcourt players will likely be Chuckwu, Lydon, and Roberson. They don't really fit on the court at the same time, but do you really see Boeheim not starting a 4th year senior in Roberson? I could also see DCII being better than Chuckwu. I'm also not convinced that Richardson doesn't stay a 3--does he have the quickness and knowledge to play the top? If he stays at the 3, the frontcourt would get really jammed. Honestly, I could see our best lineup being Howard/Joseph, Battle, Richardson, Lydon, Chuckwu. But that's bringing a 5th year senior and a 4th year senior off the bench.

Yeah excellent point. Now if you really want to make things complicated add into the equation that many people here, much closer to the program than I will ever be, think Moyer is a lock to start

 

[SUOrangeSU]

I think next year will be
Tyus and M Rich up front
TL,TR and PC maning the backline

MM, DC3, and either Howard or Joseph (whoever steps up or if Joseph transfers) as bench
we roll with 8

 

[netman99]

Richardson playing at the two is completely dependent upong improving his handle and his passing, both of which are currently below average for a starting 2 guard and why he plays strictly the 3 this year.

Both what he does better at this point than our current 2 guard!!!

 

[Cusefan0307]

Both what he does better at this point than our current 2 guard!!!

I like Richardson as a player and he has better upside, but he does NOT handle the ball and pass as well as Cooney at this point.

Its impossible to have educated discussions about basketball on this board anymore. It's getting worse every year. See ya.

 

[reedny]

How do you stretch a defense by playing a big man shooter at the 3? The whole point is to play is to play that type of player against a 4 or 5, they have to respect the outside shot and it draws rim protectors out of the paint, theoretically making it a higher percentage play for someone to drive to the rim. Also bigs are uncomfortable defending on the perimeter in general, makes them hesitate to close out and may lead to longer openings for the shooter to shoot.

Not trying to argue, I really like your post overall. To me though, gotta play Lydon at the 4.

That is one of the interesting front court rotation issues: TR/TL at PF?. Lydon's a matchup problem -- if you put a smaller, quicker guy on him, he'll score over top and he has a sweet stroke. So most teams (if they have one) will put a bigger player on him .. drawing that player off the front line. Lydon's versatility is one of the factors that makes the front court rotation so interesting next year. Also to your point, I agree that TL's size/skillset are probably best at the 4, but he can play outside and (at present) TR can't. Either way, since we play a 2-3, there is a forward on either side of the court. So it doesn't make a huge amount of difference. We expect both forwards to hit the glass ... especially when the center has to step up to the FL to guard a shooter.

 

[cuseguy]

That is one of the interesting front court rotation issues: TR/TL at PF?. He's a matchup problem -- if you put a guard or quicker SF on him, he'll score over top. If you have a big guard him, he'll drive by. He's a threat either way. And that versatility is what makes the front court rotation so interesting next year. To your point, I agree that TL's size/skillset are probably best at the 4. But he can play outside also, and at present TR can't (unless his outside shot/confidence finally come around). Either way, since we play a 2-3, there is a forward on either side of the court. So it doesn't make a huge amount of difference. We expect both of him to hit the glass ... especially when the center has to step up to the FL to guard a shooter.

I won't be surprised if Moyer quickly jumps over Roberson and earns more playing time.

 

[CaliCuse]

I won't be surprised if Moyer quickly jumps over Roberson and earns more playing time.

Probably very true In addition to getting boards he no dobt has a better offensive potential off the bat. Battle and Moyer will be big additions and we hope Chuckwu.

 

[reedny]

I won't be surprised if Moyer quickly jumps over Roberson and earns more playing time.

Roberson will be a senior. I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

 

[cuseguy]

Roberson will be a senior. I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

I think Roberson starts, no doubt, but Moyer's talent and smarts will earn him plenty of playing time.

It's up to Roberson to hold him off.

 

[reedny]

I think Roberson starts, no doubt, but Moyer's talent and smarts will earn him plenty of playing time.

It's up to Roberson to hold him off.

It's the kind of problem you hope we have. I think Moyer's going to be the real deal. But there will be an acclimation period .. same as Richardson's going through.

 

[AZOrange]

I think Roberson starts, no doubt, but Moyer's talent and smarts will earn him plenty of playing time.

It's up to Roberson to hold him off.

Dang...Moyer, Roberson, Lydon battling for time? Good god

 

[skurey]

If Battle has us missing Cooney then we're in big trouble

 

[Cusefan0307]

I hope everyone on the board realizes that Battles strengths don't include shooting.

 

[cuseguy]

People also fail to realize that we're going to miss Cooney's intensity on defense. Malachi and Battle at the top of the zone will make everyone long for Cooney and G.

 

[Cusefan0307]

People also fail to realize that we're going to miss Cooney's intensity on defense. Malachi and Battle at the top of the zone will make everyone long for Cooney and G.

We'll see what happens the rest of the year. I think yesterday ends up being one of the three worst games we play all year.

I'm not sold on the season being a waste just yet, but in the days of Hot Takey beliefs, the talk of Final Fours two weeks ago has suddenly turned to 17 wins all year.

 

[CraigForth]

People also fail to realize that we're going to miss Cooney's intensity on defense. Malachi and Battle at the top of the zone will make everyone long for Cooney and G.

The scouting report on Battle would suggest that defense is a great strength of his. Is that not accurate? I don't put much stock in ESPN scouting reports so I wouldn't be surprised if it was wrong. Have you seen him play? I haven't, I've only seen highlight tapes.

 

[cuseguy]

The scouting report on Battle would suggest that defense is a great strength of his. Is that not accurate? I don't put much stock in ESPN scouting reports so I wouldn't be surprised if it was wrong. Have you seen him play? I haven't, I've only seen highlight tapes.

Someone I know is going to see him this week. I'll get a second opinion then.

 

[tee1222]

Battle continues his impressive early season play, leading St. Joseph Metuchen to a perfect 4-0.
A game high 22 points the other night in a 27 point victory.
Led all scorers last night with 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks over Paterson Eastside.

The team faces Gill St. Bernard's on Tuesday (Tyus' former team) in the final of the Jingle Bell Jubilee Tournament.

 

[Nicknack]

Led all scorers last night with 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks over Paterson Eastside.

Too bad he's one dimensional. We're screwed next year.

 

[longtimefan]

Too bad he's one dimensional. We're screwed next year.

He's a player. But he may not be a point guard.

 

[Nicknack]

As long as he's on the floor and playing well, I could care less what position he assumes. I'm very excited to see him wear orange!