Brandon Triche brings a winning track record to Boeheim’s Army

The most successful player in Syracuse basketball history, Brandon Triche, will provide veteran leadership to an increasingly stacked Boeheim’s Army roster.

Boeheim’s Army has made several deep runs in The Basketball Tournament (“TBT”), but the addition of Brandon Triche, the winningest guy ever to lace up for Syracuse basketball, is a massive jolt to the Orange-based crew’s current line-up.

Triche, who grew up in the Syracuse region, didn’t suit up for Boeheim’s Army last summer because of an injury, but he has in the past. And his return for this go-round of the $2 million, winner-take-all TBT is monumental for a couple of critical reasons.

For one, Triche has experience competing in the TBT. He also had a phenomenal track record of success in his four campaigns on the Hill, and that winners’ mentality has parlayed into numerous prosperous stanzas as an overseas pro.

A 6-foot-5 combo guard, Triche isn’t the most athletically gifted or talented player you’ll come across. However, he’s consistent, he’s reliable, and he’s steady.

On the court, Triche can serve as a point guard or a shooting guard. He’s a strong passer, defender and rebounder. Triche won’t prove the best 3-point shooter on Boeheim’s Army, but he can knock down an attempt from deep here and there.

With a sturdily built frame, Triche is adept at using his body to drive by opponents, score in the paint and get to the free-throw line. He also possesses a solid pull-up jumper from around the charity-stripe area.

Perhaps more importantly than any of his skills, Triche always plays hard, has a terrific basketball IQ, offers up fantastic court vision, and knows how to win.

From 2009 to 2013, Triche guided the ‘Cuse to an overall mark of 121-26. That is the most triumphs by a Syracuse player in the program’s long history. He averaged 30 victories per season, against 6.5 losses. You can’t really ask for anything more than that.

Of course, Triche didn’t do this all on his own. The Orange boasted a ton of high-quality guys in that duration of time. But even as a freshman, and obviously carrying on into his upper-classmen years, Triche amounted to a rock. Totally dependable.

During his span in Central New York, Syracuse advanced to a Final Four, an Elite Eight, a Sweet 16, and a Round of 32 appearance. The Orange earned multiple No. 1 seeds in the Big Dance, and the ‘Cuse found itself ranked No. 1 in the major polls on a few occasions.

It proved a golden age of ‘Cuse hoops, and Triche is forever associated with that glorious era. Now he’s tasked with joining wing Malachi Richardson, power forward Tyler Lydon, fellow combo guard Eric Devendorf and other future additions in taking Boeheim’s Army to the promised land.

With Triche and Devendorf, Boeheim’s Army has a pair of TBT veterans, whereas Richardson and Lydon are new to the annual event. This quartet is a stellar core, although Boeheim’s Army definitely has to recruit more big men.

Triche is a Syracuse fan favorite, including of yours truly, and his calming presence and propensity for success will do wonders for Boeheim’s Army. The roster is shaping up ever-so-nicely.

Let’s hope that the TBT – slated for late July through early August, including contests scheduled for Onondaga Community College from July 31 to Aug. 2 – isn’t canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

With the pieces that it has accumulated so far, Boeheim’s Army owns a legit chance at capturing the grand prize.