Syracuse Basketball: Top 3 most exciting on fast break in Jim Boeheim era

Our hoops guru is taking a look at the most exciting Syracuse basketball players on the fast break.

Leading up to the 2021-22 Syracuse basketball campaign, it’s a good time for a 10-part series highlighting the best of the Boeheim era (1976-present).

I’ll give my takes, ranking the “Top 3” in many categories, from best free throw shooters to most exciting on a fast break. From top games in the Dome, to top games in the NCAA tourney and everything else in between.

I was 7-years-old in 1976 when the legendary Jim Boeheim, who is second all-time in career victories within Division I men’s basketball, became the head coach of the Orange. If I haven’t watched (or listened on the radio) intently to every single Syracuse basketball game since then, then it’s close to 98%.

Statistical facts in each Top 3 are fueled by the awesome OrangeHoops.org web site.

Part 1: Top 3 Triple Doubles.

Part 2: Top 3 Free Throw Shooters.

Today, it’s Part 3: My Top 3 Most Exciting on Fast Break.

Throughout the Boeheim era, Syracuse basketball has become best known (and either feared or loathed) nationally for its vaunted 2-3 zone. But the Orange has also been one of the most exciting teams on the fast break for decades, and I’m hopeful that this will ring true in the upcoming campaign.

Jim Boeheim loves to run, especially when he has the horses, and the 2-3 zone leads to a lot of fast breaks due to deflections, steals and long rebounds from missed 3-pointers by the opposing team’s players.

From 1983 to 89, one of the best stretches for the Orange program, Syracuse basketball was blessed with two of the most electric collegiate point guards ever. They kick things off, followed by my third choice, an exciting player in his own right who suited up more recently on the Hill.