Syracuse Self-Imposes Playoff Ban

In response to an NCAA investigation stemming from 2007, Syracuse has decided to self-impose a playoff ban for the 2014-15 season: this ultimately means that Syracuse will not be able to play in the NCAA, NIT and ACC tournaments. The NCAA investigation is from 2007, when Syracuse self-reported the alleged incidents. They have cooperated fully with the investigating committee and have done this to hopefully curtail any further punishments for future players.

And in the press release, the school claims no infractions happened past 2012 and that “no current student-athlete is involved. In addition, beginning in 2007, the University took a series of actions to reform and strengthen existing policies and procedures, implement a series of best practices, and realign and improve a range of student-athlete support services.”

As for the statement from Coach Boeheim, “”I am very disappointed that our basketball team will miss the opportunity to play in the post-season this year. Senior Rakeem Christmas has been an outstanding member of the team for the past four years. However, I supported this decision and I believe the University is doing the right thing by acknowledging that past mistakes occurred. Our players have faced adversity and challenges before. I know they will rise to this challenge by keeping our program strong and continuing to make our University proud.”

As Boeheim said, this certainly hurts the seniors the most, but this was likely a calculated move by Syracuse, as many experts claimed the team would not make a deep run in the postseason regardless — this is a way to take the damage during a rebuilding year and to curtail punishments on future stronger classes.

This would be the first time Syracuse has missed the postseason since the 1992-93 season, which was also due to a NCAA violations.