The player that Syracuse has been recruiting the hardest for 2016 is point guard Tyus Battle, but it will be difficult for the Orange to land the five-star New Jersey native.
The Orange, however, have a very realistic chance to land point guard Alterique Gilbert. Gilbert, a four-star recruit, has named Syracuse as one of his top five schools and, like Battle, plans to visit Syracuse.
Gilbert only received an offer from Syracuse in mid-April but has included them as one of his finalists, along with UConn, Louisville, Illinois and Texas.
Syracuse fans should not give up hope on Tyus Battle. Though it is a long road ahead as the Orange have to try to pry him away from the likes of Duke and Lousiville, Syracuse definitely has a chance to land Battle.
The point guard position has been under the microscope this season as Kaleb Joseph struggled and with no PG coming in 2015, the Orange are sure to add one in 2016.
The recruitment of both Gilbert and Battle is something every Orange fan should keep an eye on. If the Orange could land both that would give them three point guards on the roster (assuming Joseph is still at Syracuse) and this will allow Battle and Gilbert to learn under an experienced point guard and not have to deal with the pressure that Joseph has dealt with as freshman.
With Matthew Moyer already committed for 2016, the Orange would need one player from 2015 to leave in order to have scholarships for both Battle and Gilbert.
The most realistic situation is that the Orange lands only one of these two guards. Obviously, if given the choice, it would be better to bring in Tyus Battle because all signs point to him being a great player in college.
With that said, the news that Gilbert is considering the Orange should be welcome to all Syracuse fans. If Battle goes elsewhere, Syracuse can still bring in a legitimate point guard in 2016.
Posted: Logan Grossman
