Syracuse Self-Imposed NCAA Ban: Reactions From Players, ACC Commissioner and Twitter

Now that the self-imposed-NCAA-ban hammer has been dropped, reactions are pouring in locally, as the Syracuse Orange captains have released a statement, and throughout the conference, as ACC commissioner John Swofford has weighed in on things.

(This story isn't getting much national attention because Syracuse University was smart on announcing this on a Wednesday evening in the middle of the biggest college sports day of the year. Score a point for the SU public relation department for once!)

First, here's what the team captains–Trevor Cooney, Rakeem Christmas and Michael Gbinije–had to say:

"We are all tremendously disappointed that we are going to miss out on playing in the postseason based on issues that do not involve us. However, we support our school and this won't change how hard we will continue to work in practice and in games."

Meanwhile, Swofford did a nice job of supporting SU's decision in his statement:

"We are fully supportive of Syracuse and its decision to self-impose sanctions by removing themselves from any men's basketball postseason opportunities. They've been cooperative throughout the NCAA process, and I commend Chancellor Syverud and the Syracuse University leadership for taking this proactive step."

Swofford's support is key, especially when it comes to the NCAA, because if the NCAA messes with Syracuse and the rest of the conference has its back, then that's great for SU's chances for the NCAA not taking anymore action.

Finally, here's some things being said on Twitter starting with ESPN's Jay Bilas claiming this isn't what Syracuse University is calling it:

@davevowels Please. That was negotiated with the NCAA. Like calling a plea bargain "self-imposed." Just a public shaming. Nothing more.

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 4, 2015

While NCAA orchestrates a public shaming of Syracuse, NCAA won't say a bad word about Graham Spanier, Emmert's chair for athlete welfare.

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 4, 2015

Not good news out of SYRACUSE / must be really serious to self impose a ban on NCAA & ACC play http://t.co/dWqqk9TDEm

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 4, 2015

This year's Syracuse team might have missed the NCAA Tournament anyhow. That's how you self-impose (take note, North Carolina)

— Laura Keeley (@laurakeeley) February 4, 2015

I understand Syracuse unlikely to make NCAA...still big programs taking NCAA bans is not a regular thing

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 4, 2015

It sucks these SU player's get punished for sins from the past but this team was NIT bound anyway. Program honestly probably deserves this.

— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) February 4, 2015

The Syracuse release continues, "We will also retroactively ban the football team from participating in a bowl game in 2014."

— BC Interruption (@bcinterruption) February 4, 2015

"F*** it, I'm shooting." - Ron Patterson

— NunesMagician.com (@NunesMagician) February 4, 2015

First time Syracuse will miss the postseason since I bought this shirt as a freshman for $10 on Brew 11. pic.twitter.com/qslb8X2sfN

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 4, 2015

Syracuse basketball banned themselves from postseason play while the football team has been accidentally doing that for years.

— Jordan (@jrdnrnsm) February 4, 2015

Hoops programs realizing this is great day to drop bad news. Syracuse announces postseason ban and Ohio St announces Marc Loving left home

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) February 4, 2015

Syracuse's 98 NCAA tournament games are 6th-most all-time and its 61 wins are 8th-most.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 4, 2015

Thanks ESPN!