What Syracuse's Self-Imposed Ban Should Mean to UNC
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Photo credit: democratandchronicle.com[/caption]
Why write about Syracuse's postseason ban on a Kentucky blog? Because Kentucky fans care more about college basketball than anyone else in the world. When something big happens in the sport, it matters to us. The Orange weren't likely to be dancing this year anyway, but the image of a major program and its future Hall of Fame coach took a big hit. We don't even know exactly what happened yet, but it has to be serious if the school felt compelled to act in this way.
In the short term, with Syracuse currently siting at 15-7 and 0-3 against the AP Top 25, the Orange don't have much to lose this season. But North Carolina, currently ranked No. 12 in the country, might have more reason to be concerned after Wednesday's announcement by its ACC foe. The details of the academic scandal in Chapel Hill are much more publicly known than what has happened at Syracuse.
This is happening in Chapel Hill. And this. And this. And this. There is a tell-all book, titled “Cheated,” scheduled to be released in March (lovely timing) co-authored by a former history professor and reading specialist at UNC. And one UNC student-athlete reportedly received an A- for this paper.
There's a lot more dirt on North Carolina right now than there is on Syracuse. Maybe that could change in the future, but for now, there is more known about the wrongdoings in Chapel Hill. There's more evidence that UNC should be the ones self-imposing a postseason ban -- but they won't because they are ranked No. 12 and have much higher hopes for the season than Syracuse does.
With Syracuse already out for reasons we are not even entirely sure about, how can the ACC (and NCAA) in good conscience allow North Carolina to play in Greensboro this March for the conference tournament (and beyond)? Syracuse's ban should get the ball rolling for action against North Carolina, but don't hold your breath.
Photo credit: democratandchronicle.com[/caption]
Why write about Syracuse's postseason ban on a Kentucky blog? Because Kentucky fans care more about college basketball than anyone else in the world. When something big happens in the sport, it matters to us. The Orange weren't likely to be dancing this year anyway, but the image of a major program and its future Hall of Fame coach took a big hit. We don't even know exactly what happened yet, but it has to be serious if the school felt compelled to act in this way.
In the short term, with Syracuse currently siting at 15-7 and 0-3 against the AP Top 25, the Orange don't have much to lose this season. But North Carolina, currently ranked No. 12 in the country, might have more reason to be concerned after Wednesday's announcement by its ACC foe. The details of the academic scandal in Chapel Hill are much more publicly known than what has happened at Syracuse.
This is happening in Chapel Hill. And this. And this. And this. There is a tell-all book, titled “Cheated,” scheduled to be released in March (lovely timing) co-authored by a former history professor and reading specialist at UNC. And one UNC student-athlete reportedly received an A- for this paper.
There's a lot more dirt on North Carolina right now than there is on Syracuse. Maybe that could change in the future, but for now, there is more known about the wrongdoings in Chapel Hill. There's more evidence that UNC should be the ones self-imposing a postseason ban -- but they won't because they are ranked No. 12 and have much higher hopes for the season than Syracuse does.
With Syracuse already out for reasons we are not even entirely sure about, how can the ACC (and NCAA) in good conscience allow North Carolina to play in Greensboro this March for the conference tournament (and beyond)? Syracuse's ban should get the ball rolling for action against North Carolina, but don't hold your breath.
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