Report : Syracuse basketball players failed drug tests but were still eligible

Syracuse is having one of their best seasons in program history but they have many distractions over the season. First the Bernie Fine mess, now there are reports that Syracuse men’s basketball players have had positive drug tests and they continued playing and practicing with the team. This according to a report done by Yahoo Sports. It is not a good thing When Yahoo Sports is hanging around your campus.

In the report it states than Syracuse had dealt with a pattern of violated drug test over a time of 11 years. Players reportedly failed drug tests but nothing was really done about it. Of course one of those years Syracuse one the national championship in 2003. This could lead to problems with the NCAA if these reports are true. Neither the NCAA or Syracuse men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim commented on the issue.

Here is more from the Yahoo Sports reports from Charles Robinson and Pate Forde :

Over the course of a three-month investigation, four sources with intimate knowledge of the Syracuse men’s basketball program told Yahoo! Sports at least 10 players since 2001 have tested positive for a banned recreational substance or substances. The sources said all 10 of those players were allowed to practice and play at times when they should have been suspended by the athletic department, including instances when some players may not have known of their own ineligibility. The four sources said Syracuse violated its drug policy in at least two areas: failing to properly count positive tests; and playing ineligible players after they should have been subject to suspension.

These report really couldn’t come at a worse time for the Orange with the NCAA tournament right around the corner. Right now they are 30-1 and they have already locked up a number 1 seed. Now, all the media is going to be focus on is this report not how great of a season the Orange are having.

Well this report hurt this year’s team. Who really knows because we don’t know if any of those failed drug test comes from players on this year’s Syracuse team. I know one thing they didn’t let the Fine mess hurt their play.

If Syracuse don’t fare well in the tournament it won’t be because of this report it will because I really think they are overrated. I think North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, and Missouri all better than the Cuse. I fill like the Big East is really down this season. It really hurts the Syracuse always plays a soft non conference schedule in which they never leave the state of New York.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next of days. I can’t wait to see how Boeheim spins this one .

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Tags: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse