Syracuse men's basketball is one of the most storied programs in the history of college hoops, placing in the top 10 as it pertains to all-time wins. The Orange, led primarily over the years by legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, won a national championship in 2003 and has advanced to six Final Fours.
Boeheim only had one losing season in 47 years on the Hill, which is remarkable. However, the 'Cuse could have more than one national title if some things had bounced the Orange's way (pun intended).
Here are the biggest "what-ifs" in Syracuse men's basketball history.
1987
Oh, Keith Smart. The Orange (31-7 overall), as a No. 2 seed, advanced to the national championship game, where it faced No. 1 seed Indiana. The 'Cuse only made 11-of-20 from the free-throw line, and Smart hit a shot in the waning seconds to give the Hoosiers a 74-73 victory.
1990
That SU team (26-7 overall) was stacked with guys like Billy Owens, Derrick Coleman and Stephen Thompson. The Orange was ranked No. 1 during the regular season and earned a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance. However, in the Sweet 16, No. 6 seed Minnesota shot nearly 80 percent in the second half to stun Syracuse, 82-75.
2010
This is the biggest "what-if" for me. Syracuse went 28-3 overall in the regular season, was ranked No. 1 nationally and earned a No. 1 seed in March Madness. However, big man Arinze Onuaku suffered a season-ending injury in the Big East Conference Tournament, and the 'Cuse would fall to No. 5 seed Butler in the Sweet 16, finishing at 30-5 overall.
2012
One of the deepest teams in SU history. The Orange went 30-1 in the regular season, was ranked No. 1 and received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Center Fab Melo (RIP, brother), though, was ruled ineligible for the Big Dance due to academic issues. SU advanced to the Elite Eight but couldn't get past Ohio State there, dropping a 77-70 decision and finishing at 34-3 overall.
2013
Syracuse's last season in the Big East was a roller coaster. The Orange had an up-and-down campaign, but the team's defense was stifling in the NCAA Tournament. As a No. 4 seed, the 'Cuse reached the Final Four, playing fellow No. 4 seed Michigan in the national semifinals. I was at that game in Atlanta. The Wolverines led for much of this contest, but SU hung around. A bogus charge call on guard Brandon Triche toward the game's conclusion helped sink Syracuse (30-10 overall), which lost, 61-56. Sigh.
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