The Syracuse University men's basketball team will miss the NCAA tournament, the ACC tournament and the NIT this year due to a postseason ban, self-imposed in the wake of an ongoing NCAA investigation into alleged academic and drug violations by the team in past seasons, according to a report from ESPN.
"I am very disappointed that our basketball team will miss the opportunity to play in the postseason this year," coach Jim Boeheim said in a news release. "However, I supported this decision and I believe the University is doing the right thing by acknowledging that past mistakes occurred."
Syracuse itself initiated the case in 2007, self-reporting possible violations by the athletic department, though school officials said Wednesday that "none of the conduct occurred after 2012, and no current student-athlete is involved," ESPN reported.
"We are all tremendously disappointed that we are going to miss out on playing in the postseason based on issues that do not involve us," team captains Rakeem Christmas, Trevor Cooney and Michael Gbinije said.
The ACC tournament will now feature 14 teams instead of 15, though Syracuse will be involved in any tiebreakers for the determination of seeding.
"We are fully supportive of Syracuse and its decision to self-impose sanctions by removing themselves from any men's basketball postseason opportunities,'' ACC commissioner John Swofford said.
School officials revealed in March 2012 that the university had self-reported potential drug violations by former student-athletes and that the NCAA had begun an investigation. The inquiry also involves allegations that Boeheim and the school allowed players to practice and play despite violating the school's drug policy.
"We have taken responsibility for past violations and worked hard to ensure they are not repeated," University Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a release. "I am disappointed for our current men's basketball players who must shoulder this postseason ban. I also recognize that not participating in postseason play will be disappointing for many in the University community and to all Orange supporters."
By Syracuse and Boeheim's lofty standards, the team is having a down season, with a 15-7 record and facing a number of injuries, leaving many to wonder if the school would have self-imposed such bans were the team in a better position to make postseason noise.
