Syracuse's Buddy Boeheim releases statement following swing at FSU player: 'I will not react that way again'
Syracuse routed Florida St. 96-57 in the opening round of the ACC Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. That will restore the Orange-Blue Devils rivalry as Cuse takes on Duke on Thursday in the tournament quarterfinals in what will almost assuredly be the final meeting between coaching legends Jim Boeheim and Mike Krzyzewski.
Following a controversial moment during the game against the Seminoles, though, coach Boeheim's son Buddy Boeheim — the team's leading scorer — could be forced to miss the must-win matchup against "Coach K" and company.
During the first half on Wednesday, the Fayetteville, N.Y. native — a suburb of Syracuse — threw a punch to the midsection of FSU's Wyatt Wilkes as the duo fought for position under the basket. Boeheim wasn't called for a foul, but cameras caught the move. The 22-year-old released a statement after the contest.
The longtime Syracuse head coach also addressed the incident.
"I saw the play, the kid pushed him twice," the elder Boeheim said, per ESPN and the Associated Press. "I think it was inadvertent. It wasn't much of a punch."
No. 9 Syracuse will take on top-seeded Duke at noon on Thursday.
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