Syracuse Basketball: All-American candidate Buddy Boeheim in top 25

Syracuse basketball shooting guard Buddy Boeheim struggled a bit at times during a 2020-21 season in which he, unfortunately, contracted Covid-19.

However, the 6-foot-6 Boeheim finished that term on a super high note, playing at an exceptional level in the post-season as he helped lead the double-digit seeded Orange on a journey to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

His late-season performance resulted in some NBA Draft buzz for Boeheim, although he’s back for his senior year on the Hill, joined by brother Jimmy Boeheim and a cast of other talented players in what could prove a special 2021-22 campaign.

Yes, the bracketologists are prognosticating that the ‘Cuse, once again, will reside on the proverbial bubble as it pertains to the 2022 Big Dance, but I say let’s slow our collective roll. This team hasn’t even played a game yet.

Head coach Jim Boeheim has said that he thinks he has an exquisite offensive squad heading into the upcoming stanza, and I believe him. What remains to be seen is how the Orange fares in its trademark 2-3 zone.

Syracuse basketball guard Buddy Boeheim is primed to crush things as a senior.

The eldest Boeheim has said in interviews that Buddy Boeheim will wrap up his career in Central New York after the 2021-22 season, even though his son could take a fifth year of eligibility granted student-athletes by the NCAA amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Last year as a junior, Buddy Boeheim averaged nearly 18 points per contest. In his sophomore stint, Boeheim collected more than 15 points a game.

Looking ahead, as a senior, if Boeheim can produce about 45 percent shooting from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent from the charity stripe, I feel that he will tally at least 18 points per affair, if not more.

Should the ‘Cuse finish in the top-six overall within the Atlantic Coast Conference and generate some high-quality wins in the regular season, Boeheim will contend for the All-ACC first team, as well as one of the All-American squads.

To that end, MakingtheMadness.com writer, analyst and bracketologist Jonathon Warriner recently published his list of the top-100 players in college basketball for 2021-22. Boeheim is placed at No. 22 within these rankings, which is terrific in my opinion.

While he’s one of the main leaders for Syracuse basketball, Boeheim has plenty of weapons in the Orange line-up to help spread the offense around, which could enable Boeheim to become even more efficient with his shooting during his senior campaign.