Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim Ties Bob Knight with 902 Wins

Jim Boeheim has no reason to craft a New Year’s resolution with the way his year finished.

The Syracuse head basketball coach punctuated 2012 by capturing 902, tying Hall of Fame head coach Bob Knight for second place on the all-time coaching wins list.

After a shaky start, Boeheim’s Orange turned on the jets and blazed past Central Connecticut State, 95-62, in front of 17,550 fans at the Carrier Dome on New Year’s Eve. The win sends Syracuse into the New Year—and into Big East play, which tipped off Monday—with a token of distinction forever attached with its name.

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Boeheim became the third coach in Division-1 history to scale the 900-win plateau during a hair-raising, 72-68 win over upset-minded Detroit two weeks ago. Now tied with Knight at 902 career wins, he trails only Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (939) among Division-1 coaches, past or present.

Boeheim will get his first chance to pass Knight for sole possession of second place on Wednesday night. Syracuse takes on Rutgers at the Carrier Dome in the Big East opener for both teams.