Most, but not all of Jim Boeheim’s 909 victories in 42 seasons at Syracuse, have been made possible because of the Orange’s simple, yet effective 2-3 zone defense.
“They beat us playing man-to-man,” KU coach Bill Self said Thursday, recalling his only head-to-head matchup against fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Boeheim.
Self’s Jayhawks fell to the Orange 89-81 in overtime in the championship game of the 2008 CBE Classic at the Sprint Center.
“They actually went man when we got up 12,” Self added, acknowledging it was that defense that sparked Syracuse to its Jonny Flynn-led victory.