It’s Snapchat official. Incoming freshmen Tyus Battle and Matthew Moyer are moved in together and already getting up shots at the Melo Center. With the departures of Michael Gbinije, Trevor Cooney and Malachi Richardson, the Orange has holes to patch up in its starting lineup and the newcomers will be expected to fill the void. Here’s what SU fans need to know about the roommates.
Tyus Battle
New Jersey’s top prospect was not entirely sure of his role for the upcoming season, but Richardson’s leap to the NBA all but inserts Battle into the starting five. The four star recruit’s length and athleticism can wreak havoc on the defensive end. Battle will have no problem pairing up alongside Franklin Howard at the top of the zone. With the team losing approximately five steals per game, Battle can pitch into that deficit with his defensive prowess. On the other end of the floor, Battle has made significant strides, but there is still a little more left to be desired. His floor vision is excellent and he has a knack for making spectacular passes. However, the St. Joseph’s product still needs to polish his jumper if he wants to replicate the success of the Orange’s last New Jersey phenom.
Matthew Moyer
The 6’8 forward enters an already crowded SU frontcourt, but his versatility likely makes him one of the first guys off the bench. Moyer’s length allows him to get to the basket with ease and he also likes to play above the rim. Like Battle, the Ohio native needs to improve his jumper, but it is respectable enough to stash a respectable pump fake move and fit the mold of a stretch four. Moyer isn’t the quickest player on the floor, which can limit him defensively, but his length can make him a terrorizing rim protector much like Tyler Lydon was last season and the zone can help mask any defensive deficiencies.
Overall, the fresh crop of talent coming to the Carrier Dome next season should exceed Orange fans expectations. If the roommate‚Äôs chemistry is as strong on the court as their Snapchat stories suggest it is off the court, then Syracuse will have a very strong tandem to defend this year’s Final Four run.
