Like others before him, Trevor Cooney had to wait his turn, now a key cog for No. 2 Syracuse

Boston College guard Olivier Hanlan (21) attempts to shoot over the defense of Syracuse center Baye-Moussa Keita (12), and guard Trevor Cooney (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Boston, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Syracuse won 69-59. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

Boston College fans attempt to distract Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney (10) as he shoots a free-throw during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Boston, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After two years of waiting his turn, Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney has shot to the top on coach Jim Boeheim's list of key players.

Entering Atlantic Coast Conference play, Cooney was making a solid 50 percent of his 3-point shots and has been a key for the No. 2 Orange.

Cooney has cooled off a bit in ACCC games as opponents have focused more on him. Yet he's still making 42 percent of his 3s overall and second in scoring for the unbeaten Orange with 14 points per games.

Cooney was relegated to a redshirt year when there was too much talent on the Orange bench, then played a backup role last season behind senior Brandon Triche and star Michael Carter-Williams.