Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim questioned a reporter’s credibility based on his height and alleged lack of basketball experience following a 64-54 home win over Clemson on Wednesday night.
On Monday, Matthew Gutierrez, who covers Syracuse basketball for The Athletic, tweeted that the Orange would be “somewhere around 17-5 overall” and in the field of 68 if reservists Jesse Edwards and Kadary Richmond had recorded more minutes. The duo combined 12 points that day in a 72-70 win over North Carolina.
Gutierrez tweeted on Tuesday that he and Boeheim were “all good at this” after talking about his observations. On Wednesday, however, Boeheim appeared to be responding to Gutierrez’s original tweet when asked a question after the game.
“But if I had played Jesse and Kadary, we would probably be 22-2 now,” said Boeheim after Wednesday’s win. ‘I just haven’t seen that. I couldn’t figure it out myself after 45 years. I need a reporter to find out … who’s never played basketball and is six feet tall. ‘
Edwards (1.9 points per game) and Richmond (6.9 PPG) together scored five points on Wednesday.
Syracuse is a bubble team featured in ESPN insider Joe Lunardi’s “Next Four Out.”
Wednesday evening was not the first time that Boeheim’s comments have attracted attention this season. Last month, Boeheim said on his radio show, following Duke freshman Jalen Johnson’s decision to opt out of preparing for the NBA draw, that the planned lottery choice “hurt” the Blue Devils, who would have a better time without him. team in subsequent games.
After being criticized, including from ESPN commentator Jay Bilas, Boeheim tried to reverse his comments.
“This is not scatter, it casts scatter on Jalen Johnson,” Boeheim said at a post-game press conference last month. “I didn’t even see Jalen Johnson play this year to be honest. He’s a great player. Probably a great pro. I just noticed, in my opinion, I thought they played better without him in those two games.” Jay Bilas said I said they are a better team without him, permanently. I did not say that. I didn’t want to say that. ‘