NCAA Investigation Into Syracuse: 'All It Is Right Now Is Bad Publicity'

CBS' Dennis Dodd joined Syracuse's ESPN 97.7's Upon Further Review crew Wednesday to talk about his "Syracuse Under NCAA Investigation" article that has Orange basketball fans thinking: "Is Mike Ortiz Jr. going to win a Pulitzer?"

First, shame on you for thinking that. Second, calm down because not even Dennis Dodd knows where all of this is going.

Dennis Dodd on how worried SU should be: "All it is right now, is bad publicity. There can be a lot thrown on the wall and not much sticks."

— Jared E. Smith (@JaredSmithCNY) March 20, 2013

Dodd did say, if he were a Syracuse fan he'd be a bit concerned because there could be a bunch of things that pop-up. Though, in the same breath he admitted this could be another NCAA-Miami University situation.

What we did learn from the Dodd interview is that the NCAA's letter of inquiry to Syracuse University is the first step into a seemingly major investigation. The letter basically tells the university that they're being investigated for this, this and this, and be prepared to cooperate.

However, that's about all we learned about Dodd's story from the author himself.

CBS' Dennis Dodd: "It is really hard to tell where they are (NCAA) in the investigation."

— Jared E. Smith (@JaredSmithCNY) March 20, 2013

Meanwhile, on one of sports talk radio's biggest stations, CBS New York, Syracuse.com's Mike Waters joined Mike Francesa to talk about the Dodd article and the NCAA investigation (that we all, pretty much, already knew about).

"Basically, this goes back to last year at the NCAA Tournament when Fab Melo -- the 7-foot center -- was suspended about two days before the start of the tournament," Waters said. "Coming off of that, that's what prompted the NCAA to come in and look at Syracuse's basketball program. Mainly, an academic look.

"Earlier this year, we really learned a lot about the fact that the NCAA had been around when James Southerland - their 6-foot-8, senior forward -- was suspended.

I got it from two sources that the reason James was suspended then -- while the university was the body that suspended him -- it was a result of the NCAA had been in town and looking at the basketball program's academic records.

"A story now is not a huge shock. It is an attention grabber because of the timing of the tournament. But, really, nothing new under the sun because going all the way back to January we had stories that, yes, the NCAA had been looking at the program."

When asked by Francesa if Syracuse should be worried, Waters answered:

"I don't think it is serious, but anytime the NCAA is looking at you and spending that amount of time I think you have to take it seriously."

I am sure some of you are thinking: But what about the, 'Throw a dart at the [NCAA] Manual [and you would hit a violation by Syracuse],' quote? Dodd said he felt confident enough about his source to use it in his article. So, how much credibility does it have?

Mike Waters on "throw a dart" quote: "That is a very ambiguous quote by an anonymous person... I don't really care about that quote."

— Jared E. Smith (@JaredSmithCNY) March 20, 2013

So, should we expect Jim Boehim to address this issue in his press conference at 7:30 p.m. ET on SNY? Better question, will this be another EPIC Boeheim presser where he threats to kill anyone that dares ask him about the NCAA investigation?

Mike Waters: "(It is) 50/50 on whether or not Jim Boeheim dismisses it or it is a epic blow-up."

— Jared E. Smith (@JaredSmithCNY) March 20, 2013

GET YOUR POPCORN READY!