Syracuse will have to chase a national championship without starting center Fab Melo, who has been declared ineligible for the NCAA tournament.
The university announced yesterday that the 7-foot Brazilian, who did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh, where the Orange will play, won't take part in the tournament due to an eligibility issue. The school did not elaborate.
Melo missed three games earlier this season, including one of the top-seeded Orange's two losses, because of an academic issue.
ESPN, citing an anonymous source, reported that Melo's absence is related to the first suspension and that the NCAA revisited the case and again ruled him ineligible.
Coach Jim Boeheim said the Orange will be “ready to play.”
As he left the bus in front of the team hotel yesterday, Boeheim at first said he had nothing to say. He then said that “all we can do is be ready to play with the guys we have.”
“That's all we can do,” he said. “There are injuries, things happen during a season. We'll be ready to play, and we'll go play.”
Boeheim has not decided who will start in place of Melo, the Big East Defensive Player of Year, when Syracuse (31-2) opens the tournament tomorrow against No. 16 seed North Carolina-Asheville.
ESPN, citing an anonymous source, reported that Melo's absence is related to the first suspension and that the NCAA revisited the case and again ruled him ineligible.
Coach Jim Boeheim said the Orange will be “ready to play.”
As he left the bus in front of the team hotel yesterday, Boeheim at first said he had nothing to say. He then said that “all we can do is be ready to play with the guys we have.”
“That's all we can do,” he said. “There are injuries, things happen during a season. We'll be ready to play, and we'll go play.”
Boeheim has not decided who will start in place of Melo, the Big East Defensive Player of Year, when Syracuse (31-2) opens the tournament tomorrow against No. 16 seed North Carolina-Asheville.
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