Sick of the Rumors, Syracuse Orange Fans Wait for Decision on Eric Devendorf

As of 10:25 on Tuesday night, I still didn't know what to make of the Syracuse basketball season.

Sure, the Orange are 8-0 after an impressive stretch during which they beat Florida, Kansas, and Virgina all in one week.

But the real important number is No. 23.

As in Eric Devendorf.

Last Thursday, Devendorf testified at his own judicial hearing about whether or not he punched a female Syracuse University student in the face on frat row the night of Halloween.

I don't have all the facts in the case. I have read all the local stories about the case and saw the police report, and from what I can tell, something happened that night that sounded like there was some sort of confrontation. I just don't know if Devendorf punched the woman or if he was defending himself, as his lawyer claims.

The judicial committee has five business days to render a written decision in the case, and it's not something the university will announce. But you know that if the ruling is in Devendorf's favor, his attorney would reveal the results immediately. That hasn't happened yet, and the committee got the case last Thursday.

It's been three days, officially.

Once there is a decision, Devendorf or his accuser can appeal the decision to an appeals committee. That panel has 10 business days to make a decision. I don't know if the case gets reheard or not or if the appeals board just rules on the evidence given at the first board.

It's possible the case is already at that appeals board, and we don't even know it.

I have been watching the message boards, and I know people in Syracuse who have all said the same thing. They say they have only heard bad news is coming.

If that is true, it's almost hard to believe because this time last year, Devo's knee blew out in a freak on-court accident, and he was lost for the year. Isn't that what every Syracuse fan is thinking could happen again?

By the time you read this, there may already be a decision, maybe not. But the message boards are still ablaze, and Orange nation still waits.

The season hangs in the balance.

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