Brackets Continue Implosion With UConn and Dayton

((HT: WSYR-TV Syracuse))

Tyler Ennis' jumper with time running out didn't go in for a change and Dayton's run in the March tournament continued with a 55-53 win over 3rd-seed Syracuse in Round 3...

It was the first game since the Big East Tournament in 1995 that Syracuse failed to make a three-pointer as the Flyers packed it in the paint defensively and dared the Orange to make a shot from outside.

Three of Syracuse's last four losses were by five points or less.

By the way, if the math escaped you temporarily, Syracuse lost six of their last nine. All that after being ranked number one in the country at one point in the season and winning their first 25 in a row before losing to Georgia Tech in ACC play to start the down slide that ended in their second game of the tournament...

Here's the look from Syracuse...


"That thing was on line and he went for the win," Dayton head coach Archie Miller said postgame. "The thing that went through my head was the game at Pitt, when I saw that highlight 7,000 times when he banged the 3. I thought he was going to go to the basket. When I saw him raise up, I didn't feel good about it. But Buffalo's been good to us these last couple of days on the buzzer shots."

The 11-seed now moves on to play the winner of Kansas-Memphis...

The other big win Saturday came from UConn over former Big East counterpart Villanova... a 7-seed knocking off a 2...

Nova had a lead early in the game, but hit a stretch of 11:24 without hitting a shot from the field before sinking a three near the end of the first half to go in trailing 25-24. But, for the second game in a row, UConn's Shabazz Napier carried the Huskies- even with a bruised shin that kept him on the sidelines for a while late in the game.

Napier had 21 in the second half and 25 in the game...

The Huskies play the winner of North Carolina and Iowa State in New York City...
Here's a part of their second half of success...
((HT: NCAA March Madness))

Syracuse Radio Call Of Jim Boeheim Going Bonkers Toward The Officials

Here's the Syracuse version of Saturday night's game against Duke with the Voice of the Orange Matt Park describing the action

Jim Boeheim's tirade happens at 2:12.

Thanks Syracuse Orange:


Here's post game sound from Tyler Ennis and C.J. Fair talking about the end of the game.

Boeheim Goes Nuts as Duke Edges Syracuse

Well, so far Duke and Syracuse have faced off twice in ACC basketball games. And both games have been pretty darn good.

We're guessing though, most basketball fans will remember the second game, played Saturday night.

It was memorable because it was played well. A back and forth struggle at an extra loud Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils were led by freshman Jabari Parker who had 19 points and the Orange led by Jerami Grant who had 17.

But a play by Duke's Rodney Hood with 10 seconds to go is what everyone will remember. Hood drew a very questionable charge call on C.J Fair and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim responded by leaping up and running across the floor to argue the call with referee Tony Greene.

And it appears that most everyone, from commentators to non-Duke fans watching the game agreed with the call.

But Boeheim's going beserk drew a double technical foul, got him tossed from the game and gave Duke the chance to pull away and get the 66-60 win.

ESPN.com has your highlights and our partners at the ACC Network have sound from Coach Boeheim:

Syracuse's 2-Tone Uniform Will Be Locked Up Permanently, Boston College Upsets #1 Orange

Syracuse broke out their throwback jerseys Thursday night against Boston College and instead was thrown down by the Eagles in overtime 62-59.

The Eagles came into the game 2-10 in the ACC, 6-19 overall.  Loss number 20 for Boston College wasn't happening in the Carrier Dome.

Here's the highlights with FOSG Matt Park on the call. Thanks Syracuse Orange


Here's Eagles head coach Steve Donahue after the game.

Donahue is referring to Boston College men's basketball sports information director and FOSG Dick Kelley who passed away last Thursday after a three year battle fighting ALS.

Syracuse's shooting was just awful.  The Orange only shot 32 percent from the field and 16 percent from the 3 point line.

“We’re not putting the ball in the basket." Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. "We’re not going to win games shooting 32 percent, 16 percent from the three. It’s pretty simple, it’s not complicated. We need to be better on offense, it’s that simple.”

Boston College did shoot much better going 42 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three point line.

Eagle sophomore guard Olivier Hanlan led all scorers with 20 points.

It doesn't net easier for Syracuse and the Orange have #5 Duke on the docket for Saturday night.  It will mark the first time a Syracuse team has put their sneakers on the floor of Cameron Indoor Stadium.

"Right now we need to think about having two good days of preparation and Duke is one of the toughest places to play in the last five years and I’m sure they have one of the best home records of any team in the last five years."  Boeheim said.  "And they’re playing really well and they attacked us really well here. It’ll be a great challenge for us and that’s something we need for us to regroup. We have plenty of time to reflect back on the season when the season is over.”

Tyler Ennis Saves Syracuse At The Buzzer. Jim Boeheim Had No Doubt The Shot Was In

((HT: ESPN/ACCDN))

A lot of people thought that, if Syracuse was going to lose a game in the near future, it was going to be this game in Pittsburgh against the Panthers...

But someone forgot to tell Tyler Ennis


They beat Pitt 58-56 and Ennis finished with 13 and Syracuse stays unbeaten.

Luck may have had been in the cards when Ennis put up the jumper but Jim Boeheim's interpretation his freshman guard captured the moment.

"You have to do it." Boeheim said.  "You have to make the play. The ball goes in. That’s not luck. He took the shot and he made the shot. He didn’t throw it from half-court or three-quarters court. That’s not lucky. He dribbled it up, he had a purpose, he got up in the air and he took a good shot, and it went in. It happens sometimes, but he was poised to do it."

Boeheim had no doubt Ennis' shot was good with the ball left his hand.

"When he shot it, I saw his release, and when I saw the ball, I thought it was going in."  Boeheim said. "Honestly, I said, 'That’s going in.' It could’ve rimmed out very easily, but when he shot it I thought, 'Yeah, that’s going to go in.”

The Orange is now 24-0 and looking like a special team come March

Bernie Fine Suing ESPN For $11M

((HT: CNYCentral))

The HQ knew this was coming, but not just how much of it was coming... according to papers filed in the United States District Court in Syracuse.

Attorneys for ESPN have moved the defamation case to Federal Court that was brought forward by the ex-Syracuse assistant basketball coach. Mark Schwarz and his producer, and the parent companies of ESPN- Walt Disney and Hearst- have all been removed as defendants in the Bobby Davis stories that aired...

A U.S. Magistrate has scheduled a court hearing for July 18th where a schedule will be drawn up...

Fine is claiming ESPN defamed him in November of 2011 when it reported on accusations by former team ball boy Bobby Davis that Fine has sexually abused Davis. Others came forward to pile on, but statutes of limitations were challenged and so were the alleged victims and their recollections...

The case outline is hyah...

Bobby Davis and Mike Lang are also suing Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim for slander for remarks he made in November 2011 when he called them "liars out for money" when they accused Fine of molesting them. The case is under appeal...

Here was the story when it initially broke:
((HT: ESPN))

The New Look ACC: Coach K Gives Boeheim Lay of the Land

If you are an ACC basketball fan, you'll probably find this amusing.

If you are a college basketball fan, you may find this a bit insightful.

Check out the interview with Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim from our partners at the ACC Digital Network.

It's a good look and learn from two old friends who for the 1st time will be competing against each other in the upcoming season.

DEVELOPING: Syracuse Under Investigation... Again, Just Bigger......

((HT: WSYR-TV))

Looks like the Fab Melo investigation is still moving along- just louder...

According to Dennis Dodd over at CBS Sports, the school has been investigated for years and has received the ever-popular preliminary letter of inquiry.

The investigation does not include anything with Bernie Fine, but does include Melo and an assault alleged from 2007 involving three players. The school has been investigated in the last year, but apparently, business has just picked up...

From Dodd:

The ongoing investigation has apparently grown larger in scope. When asked to characterize how wide-ranging the probe might be, a source with knowledge of the case told CBSSports.com: “Throw a dart at the [NCAA] Manual [and you would hit a violation by Syracuse]."

And that doesn't sound nice...

Here's comments from Jim Boeheim...


The HQ anticipated they'd be short and/or contentious...
Syracuse plays Montana in the opening round of the In-Cee-Aay-Aay tourney...

Developing: Bernie Fine will not be facing charges

Bernie Fine

((ht: syracuse.com))

Uh oh....

All the hoopla last year surrounding former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine and the allegations he molested children have amounted to nothing.

According to a report released Friday morning, prosecutors, after going through 100,000 + documents and talking to 130 witnesses, decided there was no case.

Accusations by 4 different people who said Fine molested them while in their teens, surfaced just about a year ago. Those accusations and the allegations surrounding them cost Fine, a long-time assistant and confidant to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, to be fired from his job.

Two of those accusers, Zach Tomaselli and Floyd Van Hooser would later admit lying about Fine, the other two made allegations that were shaky at best.

The paper says Prosecutors will not disclose what they found or the reasoning for the decision.

Read the Syracuse.com story RIGHT HERE

You'll remember this all surfaced around the time of the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State. While nobody on the record will say that was a reason for the allegations surfacing, it did call the question.

All of this doesn't do anything to help Fine, a well respected basketball man who has been un-employable since the accusations surfaced. We may never know the motivation behind it all, but it's cost the man his livelihood. And due to the nature of them, it's a livelihood that he likely will not ever be able to go back to, ever again.

And In Other Legal News... It's Civil, But Not In Syracuse

((HT: WSYR-TV))

Former Syracuse ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang maintain they were molested by former assistant coach Bernie Fine. Davis and Lang are now in the process of suing Syracuse University as a civil matter.

Fine denies the allegations, but now a third man has come forward and accused Fine of the same thing.

Davis and Lang have hired attorney Gloria Allred, and at her first press conference, she said that the two men have filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court.

Davis says "it really hurt me to learn coach Boeheim had accused me of lying."

Lang says when Boeheim suggested "my little brother and I were lying" he "felt sick to my stomach... coming forward is one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life."

More when we know more...

Boeheim Apologizes For Early Remarks

((HT: WSYR-TV))

Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim came out in his postgame presser and apologized for early remarks in the Bernie Fine investigation after the Orangemen's 72-68 win over Florida.

"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made. I shouldn't have questioned what the accusers expressed or their motives. I am really sorry that I did that, and I regret any harm that I caused," he said.

"It was insensitive for the individuals involved and especially to the overall issue of child abuse."

A lot of advocacy groups have called for Boeheim's head on a platter after his early defense of Fine and disparaging remarks of accusors...

Here's the coverage from Syracuse...


The folks from outside the Syracuse program may still get their wish, eventually, depending on the outcome...

Bernie Fine case: Who knew what in Syracuse?

Bernie Fine

((ht: syracuse.com))

For those of you following the allegations made against now former Syracuse Assistant Basketball Coach Bernie Fine, one thing is clear: Nobody is sure what the truth is yet.

On the heels of Sunday's release of an Audio tape with accuser Bobby Davis and Fine's wife comes a flurry of accusations.

One was made today (Tuesday). Frank Fowler, the Chief of Police in Syracuse released a statement saying that his department was made aware of Mr. Davis's allegations in 2002. Fowler also said that a detective spoke to Mr. Davis's then girlfriend about them and decided not to pursue a case. Fowler went on to say that former Chief Dennis DuVal was made aware of the allegations and that a decision was made not to proceed in part due to the "Statue of Limitations" running out on the case.

An aside: How the heck can there be an 8-year "Statue of Limitations" on reports such as this in New York? That may very well be one of the nations most absurd laws. It would render almost every case levied against the Catholic Church irrelevant.

Sorry about the rant there.

Read a full description of today's revelations from Syracuse.com RIGHT HERE

The other issue that is bubbling to the surface: ESPN. Yes, that's right. The 4-letter network themselves, who played excerpts from the Davis/Laurie Fine phone conversation Sunday on their Sports/News shows.

The outrage seems to be focused on ESPN not telling anyone they had the tape back in 2003, when Davis 1st brought his allegations to them. And yes, investigators are not happy about this.

ESPN has been quick to trot out its reporter, Mark Schwarz, who did the story that started this two weeks ago. Schwarz made the media rounds yesterday and was asked by CNN why the tape wasn't given to authorities.

His answer wasn't a good one, telling CNN, "Journalists aren't necessarily required or expected to hand over evidence that they did not obtain or create themselves to police." And while legally, Schwarz is probably correct, the morality is where the issues come in.

Schwarz's boss, Vince Doria went further saying they didn't use the tape when they got it, because they couldn't verify if it was indeed Laurie Fine that Davis was speaking to. Doria said ESPN was later able to confirm this, but didn't specify when.

And while the Internets proclaim ESPN is staging this story for their benefit, we find that very hard to believe. Yes, you can argue that they were trying to compensate for getting blown off the News map covering the Jerry Sandusky story at Penn State, it is taking a big leap by accusing them of hyping the Bernie Fine story to make up for losing.

And oh, lest we forget, there is an increasing clamor that Jim Boeheim, the head coach at Syracuse, who initially came out in vehement support of Fine, be fired. Boeheim, who has been at the school pretty much since the dawn of time has apologized for what he said, but the question now is; "What did he know?" Many say since he was the man in charge, he should have known about the allegations and investigations, especially since they started nearly 10-years-ago.

As you know, Fine has already lost his job at Syracuse and the investigation has now been taken over by the Feds. It should be. Nobody is sure exactly where things go from here, only that it's gotten really messy and somebody when it is all said and done, has got a lot of 'Splainin'...to do.

In the meantime, listen...and watch this mashup of what ESPN is saying and/or doing about this story on YouTube from user shakeyoureptile:

BREAKING: Syracuse's Fine Not So Fine... Now Fine Is Fired (UPDATED with Boeheim and Cantor statements)

((HT: WSYR-TV Syracuse))

Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been fired by the university amid allegations that he sexually molested boys over several years.

A statement released Sunday night from the university's senior vice president for public affairs, Kevin Quinn, says, "At the direction of Chancellor Cantor, Bernie Fine’s employment with Syracuse University has been terminated, effective immediately."

Here's the latest from WSYR-TV on when Bobby Davis audiotaped a conversation with Fine's wife in 2002 discussing the alleged abuse...

One of the key quotes from Laurie Fine:
"I know everything that went on with him...Bernie has issues, maybe that he's not aware of, but he has issues... and you trusted someone you shouldn't have."



More when we know more...

2100 UPDATE: Head Coach Jim Boeheim released a statement through the school's Facebook page:

“The allegations that have come forth today are disturbing and deeply troubling. I am personally very shocked because I have never witnessed any of the activities that have been alleged. I believe the university took the appropriate step tonight. What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found. I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse.”

The full statement from Chancellor Nancy Cantor can be found hyah...

Syracuse Apparently Not Cooperating With DA Office

((HT: WSYR-TV Syracuse))

Onondaga County ((NY)) DA William Fitzpatrick says Syracuse University police are not helping the DA's office's in their investigation of Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine.

Fitzpatrick said he had to get a court subpoena Monday ordering police to turn over records. Fitzpatrick also admitted when the subpoena was served to the deputy chief at the University, it was greeted with colorful metaphors.

Classy... allegedly...

"I've never seen this happen in my history with the DA's office," Fitzpatrick told the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Here's Boeheim addressing all the allegations on their 9.2 channel simulcast of local sports talk radio...

Molestation charges in Syracuse: Tough decisions

Bernie Fine

((ht: syracuse.com))

**UPDATED WITH STATMENT FROM FINE**

Perhaps it was a result of the chaos at Penn State. Perhaps it was something a long time coming. Maybe it was somewhat questionable investigating. Either way, two brothers are alleging that Syracuse University basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine molested them when they were kids.

The accusations are not new. 39-year old Bobby Davis made them to the Syracuse Post-Standard back in 2002, ESPN in 2003 and the University themselves in 2005. Davis said the improper behavior began in the early 80's when he was a ball boy for the basketball team and for a time lived at Fine's home, in the basement.

ESPN also prepared a story on this around the same time.

Davis told them at the time he was trying to prevent Fine from doing anything to other kids. Both the newspaper and ESPN investigated along with Syracuse police and the University as well. None of the organizations at the time found anyone to corroborate Davis's story or evidence a crime was committed.

ESPN held the story until Thursday night when they came forward with a corroborating witness, Davis's step brother Mike Lang.

Read the story from the Post-Standard RIGHT HERE

Read the ESPN "Outside-the-lines" story RIGHT HERE

Fine, who has been the top assistant to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, was placed on administrative leave by the school immediately and the school along with police, have re-opened their investigation.

Boeheim issued a statement defending his friend:

"This matter was fully investigated by the university in 2005 and it was determined that the allegations were unfounded. I have known Bernie Fine for more than 40-years. I have never seen or witnessed anything to suggest that he would have been involved in any of the activities alleged. Had I seen or suspected anything, I would have taken action. Bernie has my full support."


The schools chancellor, Nancy Cantor (no relation) issued a statement, you can read it by following the link RIGHT HERE

This is a difficult story, particularly in light of what is happening at Penn State. It certainly is something that must be taken very seriously and it appears that everyone involved is, contrary to what Penn State did.

It is extremely hard to tell if Davis and his step-brother are just looking for publicity or there is a serious issue.

On the other hand, the school has been extremely pro-active it appears in investigating the allegations. More than once. Multiple people within the administration are willing to stick their necks out on this. For Jim Boeheim to say what he did, if Fine was found guilty, would be career suicide. And nobody thinks Boeheim would do that.

**UPDATE**--Bernie Fine issued a statement Friday afternoon denying all charges leveled against him. Fine, via his attorney said - "Simply put, these allegations are patently false in every aspect. The fact is that these allegations have been thoroughly investigated multiple times. When evaluating the veracity of these accusations, please keep in mind that credible media outlets were approached in the past to publicize these false allegations and declined to do so. I fully cooperated with all past inquiries.


"Sadly, we live in an allegation based society and an internet age where in a matter of minutes one's life long reputation can be severely damaged. I am confident that, as in the past, a review of these allegations will be discredited and restore my reputation. I hope the latest review of these allegations will be conducted expeditiously.


"Finally, I appreciate the Chancellor's statement that I should be accorded a fair opportunity to defend myself against these accusations. I fully intend to do so. There should never be a rush to judgement when someone's personal integrity and career are on the line."

ESPN has graciously provided an embed for this story, watch for yourself and try deciding: