Jim Boeheim Suspended, Syracuse Loses Scholarships Following NCAA Investigation

After an NCAA investigation discovered multiple infractions, Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim will be suspended for nine conference games next season, and the program will lose 12 scholarships over the next four years.

Syracuse is planning to appeal elements of the NCAA's ruling.

Continue for updates. 

---

Syracuse Set to Appeal NCAA Penalties

Wednesday, March 18

Matt Schneidman of The Daily Orange reported on the school's reaction to the NCAA's penalties against the men's basketball program and its plan to fight back against the ruling:

"

“The University does not agree with all of the conclusions reached by the Committee on Infractions and does not agree that the full set of penalties imposed by the Committee are appropriate or equitable,” Syverud said in the email.

In the NCAA’s report issued March 6, SU was punished for violations of academic integrity, the school’s drug policy and a lack of institutional control. Among other punishments were the men’s basketball and football programs being put on five-year probation.

In the email, Syverud said after a meeting with the Board of Trustees Athletics Committee,  the university will accept some of the penalties imposed by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions in addition to appealing the vacation of wins and scholarship reductions.

"

---

Boeheim Comments on Status With Syracuse 

Sunday, March 8

Boeheim made it clear he will not be leaving Syracuse, per Nate Mink of syracuse.com:

"

'I'm not going anywhere. There's a lot of things to be said. It's difficult right now,' Boeheim told the audience of 700 at the Hardwood Club dinner at the OnCenter. 'I think there's a hell of a battle ahead of us.'

He paused for 10 seconds.

'I came here in 1962. I'm not going anywhere.'

'I don't think these players could've done much more given the set of circumstances that they dealt with this year on the basketball court. It showed an awful lot of heart and determination and grit, and I think they should be saluted.'

"

---

Boeheim Reportedly Told Not to Attend Saturday's Press Conference

Sunday, March 8

Brent Axe of Syracuse.com reported that Boeheim "was told by his bosses not to speak with the media following Saturday's game, according to a source close to the Syracuse head coach." Axe offered further details:

"

The source did not identify which Syracuse University official told Boeheim not to attend the press conference.

Three Syracuse officials, including assistant coach Mike Hopkins, had no comment Saturday when asked if Boeheim skipped the press conference on his own.

"

---

Boeheim Releases Followup Statement 

Saturday, March 7

Pack Pride of Scout.com provided another statement from Boeheim on Saturday:

---

Boeheim Suspended, Scholarships Lost

Friday, March 6

Matt Schneidman of The Daily Orange passed along the full list of penalties levied by the NCAA. The school is forced to vacate all victories that included ineligible players. That decision covers both the basketball and football teams:

John O'Brien of Syracuse.com reported that the NCAA accepted the school's self-imposed postseason ban for the current season and didn't extend it further. It's the second time the basketball program has been penalized under Boeheim, who's been with the Orange for more than three decades. O'Brien wrote:

"

The penalty announced today was the second in 23 years the NCAA has imposed against SU over violations in the men's basketball program. In 1992, the NCAA placed SU on two years' probation, imposed restrictions on basketball recruiting and banned some postseason play over recruiting rules violations.

"

ESPN's Andy Katz (h/t Schneidman) reported that Boeheim will appeal the sanctions.

SportsCenter provided Syracuse's statement on the punishment:

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports provided details of one known violation:

David Gardner of Sports Illustrated pointed out the vacated wins will delay the longtime basketball coach's quest for 1,000 career victories, as ESPN.com reported that Boeheim will surrender 108 wins:

"

Scholarships are clearly the worst part of the penalty, but vacating wins will hurt Boeheim, who was nearing 1,000.

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 6, 2015"

Jon Solomon of CBS Sports and Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated reported that Syracuse actually dodged a bullet:

The loss of scholarships is a major short-term blow for the program. Losing three available spots per season is a much bigger deal for a basketball team given the size of the roster as compared to football. The reduction will likely have a noticeable impact on the team's depth. However, it's important to note the scholarships won't be reduced until 2016 if they've already been executed for the 2015 season.

The penalties will also be a financial hit for the program between the fines for games played by ineligible student-athletes and the return of revenue made through the NCAA tournament from 2011-13. The exact monetary loss was not included in the release.

Boeheim's suspension will go into effect when the conference schedule begins next season.