Syracuse men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim caused quite a stir this weekend when he made some shocking comments that seemed to be accusing multiple ACC programs of recruiting violations. But it looks like he’s now walking those comments back.
Following Saturday’s win over the Boston College Eagles, Jim Boeheim claimed that the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Miami Hurricanes all “bought” teams with improper use of NIL.
“This is an awful place we’re in in college basketball,” Boeheim said, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. “Pittsburgh bought a team. OK, fine. My [big donor] talks about it, but he doesn’t give anyone any money. Nothing. Not one guy. Our guys make like $20,000. Wake Forest bought a team. Miami bought a team. … It’s like, ‘Really, this is where we are?’ That’s really where we are, and it’s only going to get worse.”
But now, Boeheim is claiming that he did not mean to “imply” that those schools were doing anything wrong.
Statement from Coach Boeheim pic.twitter.com/MPwig9m6eu
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 6, 2023
“I would like to clarify remarks I made in a conversation I had with a media member following our game on Saturday evening,” Boeheim said in the statement. “I apologize to the schools I mentioned. I believe the ACC member institutions are in compliance with NCAA rules governing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). It was not my intention to imply otherwise.”
It’s a pretty wild statement given his original quote, and the college basketball world had plenty to say about it.
Things Jim Boeheim for sure doesn't know:
– what the word "imply" means
– how to safely operate a motor vehicle https://t.co/6WuCNoaF3c— Not A Basketball Fan (@drewhamm5) February 6, 2023
You know it’s bad when Jim Boeheim, of all people, had to walk it back. https://t.co/HOn5GUMmUY
— Michael Grant (@MichaelGrant_CJ) February 6, 2023
It wasn’t an implication Jim, you outright claimed that 3 member schools illegally paid players.
See you on the 25th. https://t.co/fBR9kfsYaZ— Oakland Zoo (@OaklandZoo) February 6, 2023
At least Coach K and Roy Williams knew when to hang it up https://t.co/jHWlcFEp0G
— RoundBall Podcast (@roundballpod) February 6, 2023
Seems like a matter of time before Syracuse is putting out the ol’ “mutual parting of ways” statement. https://t.co/W1hnPmCzqD
— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) February 6, 2023
It feels like it’s just a matter of time before Boeheim and Syracuse part ways, but Boeheim does seem to think that he’ll be back next year – at least for now.
[Syracuse]
