Syracuse Basketball: Top 3 scorers in Jim Boeheim-era history

Our hoops guru is debating the best scorers in Syracuse basketball history during the Jim Boeheim era.

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 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.

Part 3: Top 3 Most Exciting on Fast Break.

Part 4: Top 3 Games at the Carrier Dome.

Part 5: Top 3 Shot Blockers.

And today, Part 6: My Top 3 Scorers in the Boeheim era:

First of all, although he doesn’t factor into this ranking, the greatest scorer in Syracuse basketball history is Dave Bing. The Basketball Hall of Famer averaged 28.4 points on 54.1% shooting in his senior year (1965-66), without the benefit of the 3-point shot. Bing averaged 24.8 points for his three-year career (freshman didn’t play on the varsity back then) and scored 1,883 points in his 76 games in Orange, which still ranks in the top 10 in school history.

But again, Bing was Jim Boeheim’s teammate and roommate, not part of the Boeheim-coached team era.

Carmelo Anthony certainly is a Boeheim player and is one of the great scorers of the basketball in the game’s history, period, including the NBA…but even Melo couldn’t crack this Top 3 of players who put in more time and became iconic figures in Orange: