If Syracuse is going anywhere this year, it is on the back of Tyler Lydon. And it’s time for SU to realize that. The players, the coaches, everyone needs to realize that Lydon’s has got to be the go to guy on this team.
Lydon is shooting exactly 50% (90-180) on the season after the game at UNC. and 43.4 % (30-69) from three. His scoring average is up to 13.7 points. And he’s doing it on 9.5 shots a game. With a season high 14 shots in the loss at UNC.
Imagine the numbers Lydon could put up if he were to get 20 shots a game. Or 25 shots a game. He’d easily average 20 points per game, likely even more.
Lydon is going to be a first round pick at some point, maybe after this year, maybe after next, and he is clearly the best and most versatile player this team has. Why not make a more concerted effort to get him the ball.
At a minimum, Lydon should touch the ball every half court possession. If he doesn’t score, he has the ability to pass and make a play for someone else. When he is posting up a shorter player, he should get an entry pass and probably if needed a re-entry pass. He is that good.
Games like Monday against UNC, or in December against Georgetown prove that he can be a legit number 1 option. A guy who can put the team on his back and score when they need a bucket.
It’s not hard to see that the Orange is a better team when Tyler Lydon is a featured piece.
Last year, the guards could carry the team, whether it was Michael Gbinije, Trevor Cooney or even Malachi Richardson. That’s not the case this year. The point guard play isn’t there. Tyus Battle is a very good freshman, but he isn’t ready to carry a team. And Andrew White isn’t versatile enough to truly be the go-to guy. That guy has to be Lydon.
And it can be Lydon, if he’s given the chance. Part of this is a coaching mentality, there needs to be a directive to get Lydon the ball more. Part of this is on the players, guards need to do a better job finding him on post up opportunities, and coming off screens. And, of course, part of this is on Lydon, he needs to be more aggressive and demand the ball more.
It’s a mindset, and mindsets can change. In this case, it needs to. Tyler Lydon needs to be the focal point and the featured player of the SU offense moving forward. See how far it can carry you, because what they’re doing right now isn’t quite working.