Syracuse Self-Imposes Post-Season Ban for 2015 Season

Syracuse Orange mens' basketball won't be in the big dance this year, but it's not for lack of talent.

SU officials dropped a bombshell on fans of the program with the announcement the school will self-impose a one-year post-season ban for the current season.

The move comes as the NCAA investigates potential athletic department violations that happened in 2007.

The ban includes the ACC Tournament as well as the NCAA Division I Tournament.

“I am very disappointed that our basketball team will miss the opportunity to play in the post-season this year, Head Coach Jim Boeheim said. "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.”

School officials have released a statement saying they are disappointed for the senior players and fans, but they look forward to moving past the matter.

"Dear Alumni and Friends:

I am writing to give you advance notice that the University is announcing today it has self-imposed a one-year post-season ban for the men’s basketball 2014-15 season as part of its case pending before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

This one-year ban includes the ACC Tournament and any additional post-season tournaments such as the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament and the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). I made this decision in consultation with the Board of Trustees Athletics Committee and with the support of Athletics Director Daryl Gross and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim. This was a difficult decision but one we believe appropriate given the facts associated with the NCAA investigation.

Syracuse’s history demonstrates a strong commitment to integrity, responsibility and fairness, values I have personally observed in practice many times since becoming Chancellor last year. The University has taken this matter seriously and worked with the NCAA for nearly eight years to investigate and address potential rules violations. The process has been exhaustive.

We have taken responsibility for past violations and worked hard to ensure they are not repeated. We believe these voluntary sanctions are consistent with those imposed on other NCAA schools in similar cases. I have included below a copy of the University announcement that will be issued shortly.

I am disappointed for our current men’s basketball players who must shoulder this post-season ban as a result of things that occurred years ago. I also recognize that not participating in post-season play will be disappointing for you and other Orange supporters. However, we look forward to moving past this matter and I am confident the men’s basketball program will be strong and successful both on the court and in the classroom in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud"

 

Syracuse is 15-7 this season, and while making the NCAA Tournament or even the National Invitational Tournament(NIT) wasn't a lock, players and fans are sure to be upset over the development, especially coming so close to the end of the season.