Jim Boeheim is a man of few words. Following a 21-point performance from Tyus Battle in the win over Texas Southern, Boeheim kept it short and sweet when describing his star player.
"He's a gifted athlete," said Boeheim.
So far, Battle has put up 18-plus points in every single game, including a career-high 28 against Iona. The sophomore guard is the only returning player from last year's team who averaged more than ten points per game. Without his leadership and scoring ability, Syracuse (3-0, 0-0) would be struggling offensively. Battle is averaging ten more points than Frank Howard, Syracuse's second-highest scorer. Despite this, Battle reiterated his belief in his teammates ability to figure in to the offense.
"I'm confident in anyone on any given night to step up on this team," said Battle.
Battle and the Orange face Oakland (2-1, 0-0) tonight in the second game of the Hoophall Miami Invitational. The Grizzlies enter coming off a 87-74 loss to Toledo. The two standouts thus far for Oakland have been Kendrick Nunn and Martez Walker. Nunn, a transfer from Illinois, sat out last year per NCAA rules. This year, he leads the Grizzlies with 28 points per game and is second on the team with 15 assists. Walker is a versatile 6-6 guard, and is averaging 24.3 points per game. Syracuse will look to limit Nunn and Walker to jump ahead early in the first half.
Following the Oakland game, the Orange face Toledo before playing host to Maryland for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Syracuse needs to take care of business against Oakland and Toledo before worrying about Maryland and upcoming ACC conference games. Our coverage of the Syracuse-Oakland game begins at 6:30 with Countdown to Tip-off, right here on the original home of the Orange, WAER.