With Shocking Allegations, Jim Boeheim In Dilemma at Syracuse

As shocking as it is to find a shred of truth, end the traces of hypocrisy and purge destruction that initiated public outrage, there’s really no telling on what to believe after Jim Boeheim defended his ex-associate head basketball coach. Risking his job status, pointing his finger at former Syracuse ball boys Bobby Davis and his stepbrother Michael Lang — a couple of accusers who alleged that Bernie Fine had abused them when they were children – Boeheim deemed them as liars and money seekers.

It’s so convenient but unfair of him to defend Fine, who was fired as Syracuse associate head basketball for the disturbing allegations. It’s a shame, a real shame that he is, like Joe Paterno, caught in a pickle for someone else’s accusations of sexual abuse. By all accounts, when he tried to erase the allegations and finally had desired to protect the basketball culture for one of the nation’s best programs, he might have caused more pain. He tried to find peace and apologized for comments that may have been insensitive to victims of abuse, but it only created more furor as a national sex-abuse survivors group is begging for Syracuse University to discipline the well-respected Boeheim for wrongly referring to Fine’s accusers as extortionists and falsifiers.


He is, without much debate, an expert at winning, but surely put his reputation out on a limb for an alleged molester. In what happened at Penn State – where the board of trustees felt Paterno had knowledge of alleged crimes – is equivalent to the allegations in upstate New York. The parallels are linked to the Jerry-Sandusky situation, whereas Boeheim claimed he never knew anything about Fine sexually molesting two former ball boys, until ESPN recently reported and broadcasted the allegations. Boeheim can, for now, keep his job – everybody knows that – and he said on Sunday that the university acted appropriately in firing Fine in the wake of the 2002 tape, and lastly, apologized for his statements toward Davis and Lang.

The madness unleashed from a taped phone conversation between Davis and Fine’s wife, Laurie, when the university conducted its enclosed investigation in 2005. In a statement, however, Syracuse chancellor Nancy Cantor said in a memo to students, faculty and administrators Sunday night that it never had access to the tape. But on the tape, where bits and pieces of information were disclosed, Fine’s wife apparently admits to Davis that she had concerns her husband had sexually abused him in their home.

It was also made clear that Laurie admitted on the tape to having a sexual relationship with Davis. The extremely bad thing about it is that she said she wasn’t surprised, but was incapable of ending the abuse when all she could have done was call the authorities on her husband. Instead, she chose to cover the truth and reportedly suffocated the process of the 2005 investigation by saying the allegations weren’t true. It happened during the phone conversation as she spoke to one of the alleged victims as well, enabling her husband to get away with wrongdoing without offering any details in a recorded call.

Not only is the criticism swirling around Boeheim about his initial support of his former assistant and his harsh stance on the accusers. Also, he put his longtime job on the line when he verbally lashed out in defense of Fine. This past weekend, as a third alleged victim came out publicly and Laurie’s taped conversation had been made public, Boeheim had softened his position on the allegations and maintained self-control and support for the victims. His expression is irately in shock, however, his mind is set to move forward and hopefully put the allegations behind him and inspire his players, on a mission to win a national title. This is Boeheim’s attitude, a strong recovery and aspiration for a program now stuck in misery.

This university should be leery in protecting Boeheim from hell. What a helluva week it’s been, for a basketball coach who should be taken into account based on his unfeeling comments, harshly attacking the victims and blinded by his longtime assistant’s double-life. The distasteful thought is that he may have known about the allegations. And then again, maybe he was like everyone else and really had no clue Fine, who spent 35 seasons on the bench sitting next to Boeheim, was an alleged molester. Since he couldn’t reserve judgment and spoke angrily, he is simply to blame faced with a despicable and outrageous incident that cast a gloom over Syracuse. This is curable and may even die down this season, if only because its one of the elite Big East basketball programs in the nation, but it is terrifying to know that a pedophile lurked in the school’s facilities and courtside. Moments like this, in truth, is when folks are unafraid to state how they feel about a typical incident. This week, Rev. Robert Hoatson, president of Road to Recovery, an organization that supports abused victims, said that Fine’s firing wasn’t good enough.

“I think Jim Boeheim should be fired or resign as well,” Hoaston said Monday. “These boys were members of the basketball program. Jim Boeheim’s responsibility is to oversee that program, and the children were not safe on his watch.”

Penn State II: The Return of the Sex Scandal in Sports.

I am fatigued by it all. I am sick and tired of scandal after scandal, blame game after blame game in sports. It’s probably right to affirm that men of power are sick in the mind and would seduce children for an advantage in power. It’s probably right to grasp an understanding that we can’t trust men in high-profile positions either, despite that many of them are viewed as role models. This was beyond a crime, but a mental illness that requires attention. This was a sociopath taking control of children with his power. It’s hardly ever that a person sense a strange vibe whenever grown men are seen alone with children who aren’t theirs, but now would be a good time to be attentive, if something highly unusual is noticed.

If Davis, now 39, told the truth in an interview with ESPN – in which it’s hard to call an abused victim a liar – Fine began molesting him in 1984 and the sexual activities continued until he was around 27. The abuse took place at Fine’s home, Syracuse basketball facilities and on road trips. His stepbrother, Lang, was even molested while he was in the fifth or sixth grade. The other guy to come forward was Zach Tomaselli, 23, who said Sunday he told police that Fine sexually abused him in 2002 in Pittsburgh hotel room.

And you know what? In the wake of the news, not believing the victims and responding in defense of Fine, Boeheim was defensive, uncompromising, biased and politically inaccurate. By those remarks, he might have just risk so much, not only for defending his friend and the university’s brand but slamming the victims. We’ll soon find out whether he’ll be Syracuse basketball head coach in the coming days. Everybody deserves a chance to repair a school’s image, but normally when a coach has a relentless rant without having any knowledge it somewhat damages credibility. He certainly wasn’t thinking before he had spoken, and Boeheim’s unwise concept to blame the one’s hurt by all of this was obliviousness and downright ignorance.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Boeheim is fired. It’s not an irrational act. It’s not too late. But he won’t be fired, even if you make a strong case of his heartless words. For what we know, he’s not guilty of any crimes. For what we know, he wasn’t aware of these allegations — at least that is what he tells us. It’s hard to fire someone without evidence or eyewitnesses.

For what we know, despite the gloom and dark shades of this catastrophe, Boeheim will stay as Syracuse basketball head coach.

Joe Mazzulla Increases Mountaineers' Eminence with Great Pride

Before he fortified and dignified a high-profile status, Joe Mazzulla merited much account, leading the West Virginia Mountaineers to its first Final Four since 1959. Every spring, in a tourney where there’s much excitement and intense drama, a student-athlete emerges, and increases notability for an incredible performance that aggrandizes thrills.

Yet, this year we’ve witnessed spectacular feel-good stories, such as Butler's awe-inspiring movie script during its first ever appearance to the Final Four, or ultimately Bob Huggins' redemptive tale, or even Duke reliving a glorifying rebirth. But with all the hype circulating the wonderful stories, a happier storyline features a little point guard with plenty of enthusiasm and conviction.

There’s a very good chance that the Mountaineers win the national title, mainly for containing a sentimental and thriving guard. Though the masses had probably dismissed all odds when Mazzulla underwent surgery on his broken shoulder and rehabilitated for months, he became robust at a consequential moment.

Considering his aptitude and work ethnic, Mazzulla is a primary reason the Mountaineers advanced to the Final Four, known as the toughest and fiercest scorer in college basketball. He indeed, effectuated a shooting clinic in the greatest collegiate game of his college career, recovering from missing the entire season a year ago because of left shoulder damage. But it seems like none of that matters, with the parallels of Michigan State’s point guard Kalin Lucas or Duke’s Nolan Smith. This is someone with sheer passion and coveted of winning a national championship.

It’s clearly understandable that Mazzulla takes in much pride to experience an instant gratification at a program with much ineptitude, but is suddenly transforming into an adequate basketball school. In an era where the Big East conference gets an upper nod for its dominant athletes and stout powerhouses, West Virginia in previous seasons hasn’t been so opportune, advancing to the highest standard stumbling to capitalize with enough equilibrium offensively. And yet every team has an ideal agenda it devotes much of its energy on.


For instance, Huggins’ coaching has altered the dimension and emphasized a tougher approach. His man-to-man defensive principles have been the difference to an irresistible run. But this year, it’s obviously the emergence of Mazzulla, a journeyman converting into a star player with his breakthrough layups and quick attacking of the basket. He’s the comeback kid, a virtuous hero attaining tremendous appreciation for taking charge in the leadership role. The more startling feeling of his career in jeopardy, elicited scary conceptions when medical experts were convinced that Mazzulla's damaged shoulder was career-threatening.


As a result, most doctors described the critical injury as a high risk ending a promising career. Fortunately, he was given an opportunity, reprieving from his poorest days at Rhode Island. For years, he has been denied and overlooked, struggling in high school as a below average guard. Before he ever was braced as a hero for his proficient shot making and distributing, he was a soft defender and playmaker with no discipline or methodical styles.

There were hugs and smiles when the final buzzer sounded in West Virginia’s upset over Kentucky to clinch a Final Four berth. That apparently wasn’t the most heartwarming panorama of the night, once warmth bear hugs were exchanged between Mazzulla and Huggins. Their hugs were tender, each shedding tears in what was a heartfelt win, and even an indicator of redemption. Sometimes a win leads to an inconceivable turnaround, and collocates a miraculous moment in school history as well as forgiving a coach of poor judgment in his previous coaching jobs.

This isn’t a kid just redeeming himself, but also one of the most controversial coaches in college basketball. It’s apparent that Huggins was a rebellious jerk at one point, arrested on DUI charges and fired as Cincinnati’s head coach. Such is the emergence of formally a softened guard, now a humbled player who has mellowed, and believes after a 17-point masterpiece to win the East Regional final MVP title.

He wasn’t always an innocent man, either. Much as basketball fans like to believe the good side other than the bad side of any athlete, Mazzulla was arrested at a Pittsburgh Pirates game in 2008. Really now, he’s remorseful after pleading guilty for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness and paid $222 in fines.

Even more so, he deeply regrets provoking an altercation at a bar in Morgantown, an incident he was arrested and later pled no contest to disorderly conduct charge. And obviously, law enforcement refused to hit Mazzulla with a hard plenty, but the team became his enforcers and suspended him indefinitely.

But as of now, he’s a changed man with an undergraduate degree and currently attends graduate school. That's one of the great things about life, an individual can change how they live and amend disgusting behavior. And if there was anyone who believed in Mazzulla, it was Huggins. He had enough faith in his point guard, never benching him.

There’s still much faith left, too.

I Wouldn't Ignore WVU: Bob Huggins Isn't Much of a Fool

It’s good to know a redemptive story is rapidly in the makings, removing all the unnecessary toxic stains from diminishing a level of trustworthiness at West Virginia. His image has induced much misery and recovered, becoming a paragon as an exemplary voice, and the renaissance man of an athletic program with little respectability.


Not long ago, Bob Huggins was labeled as a dumbass for his stupidity and senseless act when police stopped him on suspicion of drunken driving.

According to police reports, he was given a field sobriety test and asked to say the alphabet correctly, but slurred the words in an unusual order. Near the driver’s side door of his automobile, vomit was seen making the matter even more suspicous. His awful troubles of drunken driving happened years after Huggins suffered a massive heart attack. What to make of his severe health problems, was ongoing stress during an edgy and wearisome coaching career.

Throughout the madness of a burdensome career, he has exploded into a crazy madman by throwing postgame rants and too many tantrums near the sidelines, while enduring infractions and rebellious players. That’s a lot for any coach at the collegiate level to handle, a heavy burden that could turn someone whacko.

“I made a very poor decision that’s reflected negatively on the basketball program and the university,” Huggins said after knocking off Kentucky in the Elite Eight. “For that, I deeply regret it. I take responsibility for my actions. I’m going to do my part to make sure that something like this will never happen again.”

Certainly, he has stayed true to his words.

Six years later, Huggins is now a popular figure in a state where college hoops symbolizes much pride. Six years later, he’s the newest mentor, uplifting spirit and faith at a lackluster program. Not too many had enough courage to pencil in the West Virginia Mountaineers, arguably the best Big East program.

Whoever thought West Virginia could outlast Syracuse or Villanova, each respectively glorified as Big East powerhouses? For all bracket-owners, Butler, West Virginia, Duke and Michigan State, honestly, weren’t among favorites advancing to the Final Four. But either way, the Mountaineers have brightened romance with a date against Duke next Saturday at Indy.

In retrospect, there are some believers who gather clear insights that Huggins is a rogue or an arrogant idiot. Sure, he has made a gruesome mistake in the pass, mirroring the foolish episodes that almost ravaged his reputation and credibility. Sure, he screams and attacks his players, but he has his players persisting to the basic protocols in which his man-to-man defensive standards were beneficial during a remarkable drive to the Final Four.

No wonder West Virginia’s unforeseen chase to the national title materialized and presented sensible belief. Any team can win by playing physical and defending the ball, a well-known custom the Mountaineers are committed to whenever facing opponents.

It was easy to forget and ignore Huggins. Years ago, he toppled because of his arrogance and heinous actions, but why must the nation hold grudges? None of that unlawful hoopla matters with Huggins, nor does he describe a win as redemption.

Even his players know that he wouldn’t mind amending a decrepit identity, but even more so, winning a national championship. Really all that matters is bringing laughter and fulfilling aspiration in a good-natured basketball community, just as much as redeeming sorrow.

“He won’t say it, but I think he feels a sense of redemption,” said West Virginia guard John Flowers. “No one thought we’d be here and no one thought he’d be here.”


This has been a wonderful tournament, with surprises and bracket-obliterators shattering our cleverness regarding a captivating sporting tourney. And suddenly, an unpredictable activity has formed tremendous joy. There’s no reason to deny that Huggins is the most lovable coach in West Virginia, despite running a corrupted program at Cincinnati or recent outbursts at WVU.

Because he has a heated temper, it doesn’t make him a fool as the Mountaineers advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1959. Huggins hasn’t experienced or tasted a steep championship chase in 18 years. Understand he has gotten the Mountaineers to a sentimental point, only two wins away from immortality. For all Huggins haters, his public issues with alcohol haven’t contributed with his coaching practices.

Without Darryl “Truck” Bryant, their point guard sidelined with a broken foot, the Mountaineers have survived with excellent backup plans. Credit Joe Mazzulla, who had shoulder surgery that normally sidelines players for a full season. He is playing at his very best and took over the game Saturday against Kentucky.

According to reports, Bryant is expected to return for the Final Four, but honestly no one really misses the starting point guard. Mazzulla’s speed and stamina to drive inside the paint for backbreaking layups has been a savior, while the tough-driven Mountaineers have buried an array of threes as well. Other heroics have come out of the sharpshooting, Da’Sean Butler, who has drained three after three after three.

All season long, the Mountaineers were doubted in the Big East and overshadowed. They weren’t supposed to make it this far, but much credit to Huggins.

He’s not much of a fool.

Syracuse's Early Ouster, Not Big East Powerhouse

Before I had confidence in them, willing to fill out a bracket and applaud what had the features of the deepest team eligible for all the mayhem in March. But after yesterday, it’s hard to believe in the Syracuse Orange engraving another breathtaking epic classic with endless adrenaline lasting until midnight in the Big East, or even greater in the NCAA tourney.

Having seen the Orange precisely regulate an evident theory that the Big East is the one conference consisting of the most talent, all presumptions may have been misguided perspectives. Any team is vulnerable of suffering an unexpected letdown in gusty moments, when much is at stake as to earning a No. 1 seed and clinching a Final Four berth.

However, it is clear Syracuse isn’t Final Four caliber, stumbling at a time of desperation, a time a win enlarges a pure sense of confidence. This was considered an imposing chance, an awe-inspiring chance for the Orange to raise another championship banner, and appease an enthusiastic sporting school where the students await March wishing yet for another epic finish.


With five minutes remaining, arguably, the deepest powerhouses of the Big East glanced at the possibilities of clinching a No. 1 seed and winning the conference title diminish, suddenly becoming a fading program that had much capacity to arrive at the biggest dance.

Throughout recent struggles, Syracuse has hit unfamiliarity, after winning a national championship and two Big East titles. Back in the state of mediocrity, some are convinced that the Orange still could maintain a No. 1 seed, based on its reinforcement to emerge to new heights with its flourishing players.

Only this time, an upsetting 91-84 loss Thursday afternoon at the world’s most-respected venue may have smeared any conceivable assumptions of the top-seeded Orange locking up a No. 1 seed after squandering a nine-point second-half lead and trailing No. 8 Georgetown by 6 points.

No longer a menace, Syracuse was referred to as the most vigorous and bottomless program in the nation, with solid ingredients foreshadowing a premier school. It’s fitting to assume the Orange are relevant, but instead a team that may actually fall in the NCAA tournament prematurely, especially if slumps continues to downsize chances of a national title.


Believed to be the toughest out, the Orange aren’t a team known for playing from behind. With the exception of losing four games all season, winning 28 games brainwashed the minds and bracket experts of picturing an imposing ride to the Final Four, but after the unfortunate loss of senior center Arinze Onuaku to a right knee strain, the Orange may lose morale and tries finding fortitude elsewhere.

Overall, the program is languishing at the worst possible time, when contending to win it all demonstrates the worthiness of any school with immeasurable promise to reach glory.

The beauty of the NCAA tourney is winning, and also strengthening the athletic program by luring in more recruits and profit to put together the most compelling program in all college basketball, a usual trait Syracuse commits to so well.

Very wisely, coach Jim Boeheim has built and solidified a powerhouse in the Big East, a program that wasn’t even projected in the preseason top 40, based upon losing three prolific starters from last season.

Doesn’t everyone remember the indelible moment at last year’s Big East tournament?

Reminisce with me:

In a six-overtime thriller, the Orange somehow survived an exhausting marathon captivating all populace to stay awake and witness an epic contest that ended at exactly 1:25 a.m., becoming the longest game in Big East Tournament history.

Settling for 127 points to defeat the third-seeded Connecticut in the quarterfinals defined a breathtaking contest for the ages, orchestrated by gifted point guard Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf, whom opted to depart after coming up short in the Sweet 16.

However, the latest class captured a recognizable deed, unlike last year’s class.

For the first time in 20 years, the Orange claimed a top-seed, but unlike in the previous year, faltered holding on to an honorable possession after receiving 59 first-place votes from the national media panel.

So in large part, seeing the Orange decline illustrates an early ouster, even though it’s a program with massive talent.

Meanwhile, there are still a few players optimistic.

“I think we’re still one of the most consistent teams in the country where we can get a No. 1 seed,” Scoop Jardine said after the frustrating upset against the Hoyas.

After two consecutive losses and the injury of Onuaku, the dominant force inside the interior gives me second thoughts.


Leery of the sudden juncture considering that the Orange won seven of eight against teams ranked in the Top 25 poll, it’s not easy imagining them clinching a No. 1 seed or a Final Four berth unless Syracuse begins to awaken and polish. All of which, the recent breakdown stains all possibilities of earning a top-seed, putting all endless opportunities in jeopardy.

“I hope they’ll still be with us,” said Jardine. “We’ve been consistent all year. We have to get six wins…I think we’re capable of getting six wins. Hopefully ‘Cure Nation’ is still with us.”

Of course, "Cure Nation" is still by their sides, hopeful the Orange reshapes into a contender and solaces all conceptions of falling early.

“We can’t let these losses get us down,” said Andy Rautins, the explosive three-point shooter. “Come April, I don’t think anyone will remember this.”

In a sense, the Orange envisions a potential surge, lulled of reestablishing and legitimizing parity. What is viewed as a well-balanced program, Syracuse needs to benefit from Andy Rautins’ three-point shots. They need to benefit from Wesley Johnson’s midrange jumpers, a streaky shooter whose numbers dropped in prior weeks.

Only problem is he could be worn down, and if his opponents are really physical, Johnson doesn’t play as effectively. At least there’s the 2-3 zone defense, a philosophy inserted by the Hall of Fame coach Boeheim, probably the most stabilized in all of college hoops.

And certainly, the magnitude of an admirable event is to rise to the top, but suddenly disintegration ruins the delirium of March.

So what we assumed was promising, seems currently doubtful.

SEC REFS VS. BIG EAST REFS/ SEC THROWS THE FLAG WHILE BIG EAST PICKS IT UP

Last night’s LSU vs. Georgia game didn’t have a whole of action until the fourth quarter.

After the first half it was just two LSU field goals being the only scores of the game.
In the third, neither team could put any points on the scoreboard.

At the start of the 4th quarter, Joe Cox led his Bulldogs (3-2) on an 18 play 60-yard drive to finally put Georgia on the board. The drive lasted 7:52 and after the extra point, Georgia had the lead 7-6.

Following Georgia’s score, both LSU and Georgia had two three-and-out offensive series before another score.

This time it was LSU’s turn. LSU running back Charles Scott capped off a 13 play 88-yard drive with a touchdown run from the 2-yard line. After failing on the two-point conversion LSU took back the lead at 12-7 with only 2:53 left in the game.

Georgia’s young quarterback Cox, who has been growing up quickly thus far this season, now had to lead his team in the two-minute offense if Georgia wanted to protect their home field.
He got off on the right start by completing a 13-yard pass to running Caleb King on the first play. Following an incomplete pass on the next play and a four yard rush by King, Cox hooked up with Georgia’s other King, Tavarres King, with a 46 yard completion. Georgia was now LSU’s 16-yard line and in striking distance to regain the lead. Just two plays later that is exactly what Cox and the Bulldogs did.

With the LSU (5-0) rush coming after him, Cox looked to the right side of the end-zone where his No. 1 target A.J. Green had single coverage. Cox threw the jump ball and Green leaped up into the air, outstretched his hands over the LSU defender, and came down with the go ahead touchdown pass.

But, what happened after the touchdown was the real story.

The referees flagged the Bulldogs for a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for excessive celebration. But, where was the excessive celebration?

Green’s teammates did give him some shoves after he caught the ball. But, no one did a dance or made a disrespectful gesture towards the crowd. The Georgia bench did not run out onto the field. So, where, where was this excessive celebration?

In any event, the penalty was called and it would have a major impact on the rest of the game. Now, the Bulldogs had to kickoff from 15 yards further, giving LSU a chance to be in great field position.

After LSU’s Trindon Holliday returned the kickoff for 68 yards, they were already at the Georgia 38 yard line. Just two plays later, it was Scott from 33 yards out with the go ahead and game-winning touchdown run.

Not to take anything from LSU because it was a good game, you could not help but wonder how different their final drive would have been if the refs had not called Georgia for penalty which gave LSU their favorable position to start the drive.

Now, switching from this game, we go to the Washington vs. Notre Dame game. This was a much different game than LSU vs. Georgia one. At the start of the fourth, Washington had a 24-19 over the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium.

Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, Notre Dame, trailing 27-22, had 2:52 left in the game to make their comeback.

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen was as cool as the other side of the pillow. He completed all four of his passes, including the go ahead 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph.

Rudolph and his teammates were ecstatic after the catch. In fact, Rudolph jumped into the arms of his teammates twice and was carried around for a few seconds; a real celebration compared to the Bulldogs mild shoving of Green after his go ahead catch.

In fact, the Big East refs did throw a flag and it seemed like the penalty for excessive celebration was about it to called. However, when the ref went to make the announcement to the stadium, he did not announce a penalty for excessive celebration. Instead, he told the stadium that flag had been picked up and that there was no penalty.

While this score did not prove to be the game-winning score, Notre Dame ended up beating Washington in overtime, it still made me furious how the SEC refs had affected the outcome of what ended up being an exciting game between Georgia and LSU.

How could the NCAA have refs that can’t even agree on what excessive celebration is?

Georgia could be 4-1 and the Tigers could have been the latest top 5 team to fall.

Maybe the SEC refs wanted the Tigers to remain unbeaten for their game against No. 1 Florida next week. Who knows, but I always dislike it when referees ruin a great game.