Syracuse announced on Monday that the NCAA was investigating the men’s basketball program after a Yahoo! report stated that at least 10 former players since the 2001 season had failed drug tests.
» What do you think of the allegations? Discuss.
“We self-reported issues with drug testing to the NCAA, and there is currently an ongoing inquiry,” Kevin Quinn, a spokesman for Syracuse, said in a statement. “The inquiry does not involve any current S.U. student-athletes. To ensure the integrity of the ongoing process, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
» Wesley Cheng: New allegations won’t affect Syracuse’s season
According to the report:
Over the course of a three-month investigation, four sources with intimate knowledge of the Syracuse men’s basketball program told Yahoo! Sports at least 10 players since 2001 have tested positive for a banned recreational substance or substances. The sources said all 10 of those players were allowed to practice and play at times when they should have been suspended by the athletic department, including instances when some players may not have known of their own ineligibility.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Boeheim said to Yahoo!. “I would not comment on anything like that. Good luck with your story.”
ORANGE EARN ALL BIG EAST RECOGNITION
The Orange was well represented in the All Big East honors, as Kris Joseph, Fab Melo, Dion Waiters and Scoop Jardine all received accolades.
Joseph was named to the All Big East First Team while, Jardine was named to the Second Team and Waiters to the Third Team. Melo was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, while Waiters was tabbed Sixth Man of the Year, an honor previously held by Joseph.
It marks the second year in a row that an SU player has won the defensive player of the year. Last year, forward/center Rick Jackson secured the award.
SYRACUSE STAYS STEADY IN THE POLLS
In the final rankings of the regular season, Syracuse stayed steady at the No. 2 spot in both the AP Poll and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.
In the AP Poll, Kentucky received 63 or 65 votes, with the Orange getting the other two. In the ESPN/USA Today poll, Kentucky secured all 31 votes.
Kansas, North Carolina and Missouri rounded out the top five in both polls.
