Syracuse Orange Basketball: Ranking Syracuse's Top 5 Players

Syracuse might have been wearing new uniforms Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome but the story was the same.  For the 28th time in 29 tries, the Orange were victorious—a stat rivaled only by the dominant Kentucky Wildcats (27-1) and the surprising Murray State Racers (26-1).

Another game, another victory for Boeheim’s bunch.  Even as Syracuse’s schedule has gotten tougher over the past month (games against UConn, Louisville, Georgetown and Cincinnati), ‘Cuse has continued to rack up wins. 

Syracuse’s success in 2011-2012 has been in no small part due to its outstanding depth.  In fact, pinpointing the best player on the Syracuse roster is no easy task. 

But here at Bleacher Report, we aren’t about easy.  Easy is for toy ovens and mac and cheese.  Here’s my list of the top five players from New York’s college team:  

5. Scoop Jardine, PG

He’ll make you scratch your head at times (his 2.1 turnovers per game are the most on the team), but a minute later he’ll have you jumping out of your seat with a long three-pointer or a sweet dish to Fab Melo. 

Jardine’s scoring numbers are down from a year ago, but he’s been there when ‘Cuse needed him (21 points against UConn and 17 in a close game against Rutgers on Sunday).  Syracuse will need to lean on Jardine’s experience in big games (he’s a fifth-year senior) if they want to make a deep tournament run this season.

4. Fab Melo, C

Melo isn’t Syracuse’s best player, but he might be their most important.  The Orange looked lost without him during the three-game stretch where he was academically ineligible. 

Melo’s transformation this season has been amazing.  In 2010-11 he was a clumsy, fouling machine who couldn’t shoot to save his life.  Melo’s agility (he lost 30 pounds in the offseason), shooting (66 percent free throw shooter after shooting just 36 percent last year), shot-blocking (second in the Big East at 3.1 per game) and basketball IQ are all greatly improved from a year ago.  Melo may actually have the most NBA-potential of anyone on the ‘Cuse roster.

3. Dion Waiters, G

Doris Burke loves to point out how “explosive” Dion Waiters is every time she broadcasts a Syracuse game.  She’s not wrong. 

The super-sophomore has bullish strength (215 pounds), a nose for the ball (two steals per contest) and he’s a fast-break fiend.  Waiters could be a first-team All-Big East selection… even though he comes off the bench.  He also might be the cockiest player in the Big East.  I don’t think they give out awards for that, though.

2. C.J. Fair, F

Fair has arguably been the Orange’s most consistent player this season.  Fair, who is second on the team in minutes played (despite coming off the bench most of the year), is a ridiculous athlete with good length (6’8”) and good defensive instincts. 

Along with Fab Melo, Fair has been one of Syracuse’s only consistent rebounders this season (5.5 per game).  He’s just an average shooter, but he makes up for this deficiency with his good decision-making (averages less than one turnover per game) and by rarely getting into foul trouble.  Fair’s monster dunks have probably landed him on SportsCenter’s Top 10 more than any other Cuse player this year.

1. Kris Joseph, SF

Why have Orange fans been screaming “Victory!” more than Johnny Drama on Viking Quest this season?  The answer is Kris Joseph.

The 6’7” forward is Syracuse’s leading scorer and best all-around player.  He can dribble, shoot threes, finish in traffic and he’s a committed defender.  While Jardine and Waiters’ questionable decisions have the potential to cost Syracuse every night, Joseph has tremendous poise and rarely makes mental mistakes.  Think of him as Paul Pierce with hops.