Breaking News: Per Syracuse University—No Fab Melo or Mookie

According to a recent statement released by Syracuse University today, two players from the Syracuse Basketball team will not be seen with the Orange in the foreseeable future. 

Fab Melo, perhaps the most improved player in the Big East and the best big man in Syracuse's rotation, will not be making the team's road trips to Notre Dame or Cincinnati. 

Furthermore, Mookie Jones, a scholarship player now turned bench warmer, will be leaving the team for personal reasons. 

In the statement from Syracuse, "Given University policy and federal student privacy laws, we are not able to provide any further details at this time."

For Fab, that explanation would lead one to believe that he may be academically ineligible at this time, however this would be strange as Syracuse just resumed classes this past week.

While an injury or illness may be the culprit, such a last minute and vague reason naturally lends itself to the worst possible scenario.

For Mookie, personal reasons could range from lack of playing time to family matters, but the bottom line is that fan favorite Jones will not be seen in a Syracuse uniform again.

Syracuse's depth and Jim Boeheim's strategy will be challenged as the Orange face off against two tough Big East foes looking to pull an upset.

Notre Dame is 11-8 with a 3-3 mark in the conference while the Bearcats are 15-4 with a 5-1 mark within the Big East.