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Update: Brent Axe is reporting that Boeheim was indeed told to skip the presser. Still should have done it, but, there you go...
Original: After the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team ended its season with a disappointing 71-57 loss at the North Carolina State Wolfpack, head coach Jim Boeheim was expected to come out and answer questions like he always does in his post-game press conference.
However, it wasn't Boeheim who came out to talk it was assistant coach Mike Hopkins.
Hopkins: "The only reason Coach hasn't come out is because he doesn't want to answer. No comment."
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) March 7, 2015
Of course, "no comment," would be directed to any questions about the recent NCAA report and penalties that were handed down on Friday afternoon. So, instead, Boeheim released a statement explaining why he didn't appear in the final post-game presser of the year.
"Yesterday I issued a full statement with my thoughts on and reaction to the NCAA Committee on Infractions report. In that statement I said I would have no further comments on this matter as I consider my options moving forward. That remains the case today.
Win or lose, today should be about this terrific team and how they have made me, our coaches, the University and the community proud during a challenging season on and off the court. I'm as proud of this team as any I have ever coached. I think these players have done everything any and all of us could have asked them to do.
I want to make sure today, as we play our last game and are together for the last time as team, that the focus is on our players, and all they have done to make our University proud. This should the focus this afternoon and nothing else.
That is why I have asked Coach Mike Hopkins to lead today's post-game media availability. There will be time in the future for me to fully comment on NCAA issues and of course I will take the opportunity to do that at the right time."
There sure will be some more #HotTakes on Boeheim's move, but Hopkins, for now, is standing behind his boss.
Hopkins declines to comment about how SU's coaches and players reacted to the NCAA report.
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) March 7, 2015
Hopkins: "Coach is a warrior. He's a superhero. Superhero."
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) March 7, 2015
How many times have you filled in for Boeheim in a press conference? Hopkins: "This is my first. Am I doing OK?"
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) March 7, 2015