Syracuse Basketball: Sustained Success Is A Fantastic Feat
By Neil Adler
By besting Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon, the Syracuse basketball squad clinched its 49th winning season in a row. Let’s applaud that.
Like many SU faithful, I want our beloved Orange to reach the Final Four each and every year. I desire more national titles and conference championships.
I mean, who doesn’t?
After a golden period between 2009 and 2014, when the ‘Cuse hoops outfit advanced to a Final Four, an Elite Eight and two Sweet 16s, not to mention several No. 1 rankings and No. 1 seeds in the Big Dance, things have slowed down a bit of late.
A self-imposed post-season ban in 2015. A so-so stanza in 2016, followed by a miraculous run to the Final Four. A disappointing 2017 that resulted in a second-round NIT exit.
As for the current term, it’s up in the air whether Syracuse will hear its name called on Selection Sunday.
I get that some SU fans are frustrated by what’s transpired these past four years.
Personally, I think that we’re fairly spoiled and take for granted the consistency that this
More from Inside the Loud House
- Syracuse Football: Cuse boils Purdue, turns attention to Army on Saturday
- Syracuse football only team in country with top-5 scoring offense, defense
- Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Elijah Moore not in top 100, and I don’t get that
- Syracuse basketball 4-star west-coast recruit, in new rankings, into top 20
- Syracuse basketball is hitting D.C. market hard in pursuit of 4-stars, 5-stars
powerhouse program has attained over four-plus decades.
When the Orange (17-8, 6-6) emerged victorious versus Wake Forest at the Carrier Dome last Sunday afternoon, I caught note of a tweet from the terrific ‘Cuse broadcaster, Matt Park, who said that SU had clinched its 49th consecutive campaign with a winning record, the longest present streak in men’s collegiate basketball (FYI, I could care less what the NCAA postures on this topic).
Of those nearly 50 seasons, 42 of them are with legendary head coach Jim Boeheim at the helm. Chew on that for a second: JB has never, ever finished up a year with a losing mark.
This is an achievement for which we should all feel proud. Other titans of the sport, whether it’s Arizona, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina or UCLA, can’t lay claim to this ongoing feat.
That snowy school in Central New York can.
Sure, an abundance of Syracuse fanatics will complain about Boeheim only possessing one national championship. They will say that JB under-performs during March Madness.
Fine. Those are valid criticisms that I take to heart, but also for which I respectfully disagree.
Under Boeheim’s guidance, the Orange has blossomed into a national brand. We have five Final Fours, two Elite Eights and tons of Sweet 16s. If not for some missed free throws (1987), a devastating injury (2010) or an unfortunate suspension (2012), SU could have another NCAA title or two.
I get that other teams may have had more “success” in March, and of course I wish that the ‘Cuse could collect a second national title. But that doesn’t signify a lack of excellence on the Hill.
With JB’s son, Buddy, beginning his Syracuse career in 2018-19, I don’t see the elder Boeheim going anywhere for a while. Next year’s recruiting class appears stellar, and hopefully Jim Boeheim will ride off into the sunset with another national championship in his pocket.
Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History
At a minimum, it’s almost a given that he’ll secure a bunch of additional winning seasons in a row. That may not prove sufficient for the bevy of SU enthusiasts.
For me, though, it will prove just fine.