How Syracuse maintains elite status

[Whitey23]

ESPN Insider

Even after losing Scoop Jardine, Kris Joseph, Fab Melo and Dion Waiters off of last season's team, head coach Jim Boeheim and his Syracuse Orange are once again one of the elite teams in college basketball.

This is hardly a surprise. Two things have remained the same for the Orange in the last 36 years: Boeheim and his famed 2-3 zone. What is it that makes Boeheim's program so special? Let's take a look at some of the key factors, including what it is about his defensive scheme that makes it so difficult to solve.

Recruiting a team, not players
Players willing to sit and wait
Effective messengers
The zone

 

[donniesyracuse]

It's funny that people think Boeheim has been doing the 2-3 zone exclusively for thirty-six years.

 

[CusefanATL]

go on...

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

It's funny that people think Boeheim has been doing the 2-3 zone exclusively for thirty-six years.

Well, he invented it..so people think its an exclusive relationship.

 

[Syracusian]

So this is telling me that Igor and BlueCurtain aren't behind Syracuse's elite status?

 

[SteveC]

In a nother espn article MCW was mention as "on the cusp" in the POY race. i think they had him 7th.

 

[OttoMets]

It's funny that people think Boeheim has been doing the 2-3 zone exclusively for thirty-six years.

That was my first thought too. That trend is only a decade old.