Jim Boeheim’s suspension upheld by NCAA

Jim Boeheim’s nine-game suspension was upheld after appeal by the NCAA, but has been moved to non-conference play.

Jim Boeheim dodged a bullet in appealing his suspension, but didn’t leave without injury. The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team head coach was suspended for nine games following March incidents where the organization was found at fault in several areas. They were practicing academic misconduct, giving team members extra benefits, and violating the drug-testing policy.

According to ESPN Boeheim appealed his suspension hoping to get it reduced, but that did not occur. The nine games stand, but the committee did agree to help Boeheim out just a little bit by moving the location of the suspension. The nine games will now be completed before conference play starts, which should help Syracuse out.

The suspension will now begin at midnight before their game Friday against Georgetown. While suspended, according to ESPN, Boeheim can not contact his team, and he believes he is unable to even work in his office until the suspension is served. This is tough on the longtime coach, who hasn’t missed many games in his time as the coach of the Orange.

Speaking to ESPN, he said, “I’ve missed three games in 40 years, and that’s when I was being treated for cancer. That’s it. It will be a very difficult process. We just have to work through it.” He expressed confidence in the team and coaching staff though, saying, “The team will be all right. The coaches are prepared.”

Boeheim was displeased with the fact that the committee didn’t give Boeheim much time to get prepared for his suspension. He has a little under two days notice. He was frustrated the committee didn’t take action and let him know sooner so that he could’ve prepared his players, and informed them himself (rather than finding out through the media) that he wouldn’t be around.

This is just one of the many punishments coming to Syracuse, as they’ve also lost wins as well as eight scholarships over four years.