Buddy Boeheim Suspended: College Basketball World Reacts

Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim probably should have known that he’d be punished for striking an opposing player in the ACC Tournament – accidentally or not. This afternoon, the punishment was revealed.

The ACC has suspended Boeheim for Thursday’s ACC Tournament game against top-seeded Duke. Boeheim has already apologized both publicly and to FSU’s Wyatt Wilkes, who he struck with his arm.

“In the heat of today’s game, after some shoving in the lane, I swung my arm while turning to go back up court. It was wrong to act out in frustration,” Boeheim said in a statement. “I apologized to Wyatt Wilkes multiple times in the handshake line. He said not to worry about it, but I know it was wrong.”

As a result, the Orange will be without their top scoring threat in a game against Duke that could make or break their NCAA Tournament hopes. But more basketball fans are frustrated that the suspension helps pave the way for Duke to reach the ACC title game:

Buddy Boeheim averaged a team-leading 19.3 points along with 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors for his superb season.

But at 16-16, the Orange are unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament unless they qualify automatically by winning the ACC title. Winning it would have been easier but still a challenge even with Boeheim in top form.

Without him, Thursday’s game against the Blue Devils might be their last of the campaign.

Will Syracuse beat Duke tomorrow?

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