Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim came to the defense of his son. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim defends son Buddy over cheap shot

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 3/9/22

Buddy Boeheim threw a blatant cheap shot during Syracuse’s ACC Tournament game against Wake Forest on Wednesday, but his father does not think the act warrants disciplinary action.

Buddy socked Florida State’s Wyatt Wilkes in the gut after the Orange made a basket in the first half of their blowout win over the Seminoles. No foul was called, but it was clear that the punch was intentional.

Jim was asked about the play after the game. He said the punch was “inadvertent” and that Buddy was pushed twice by Wilkes before it happened.

Boeheim on the Buddy punch: “I saw the play, the kid pushed him twice, I think it was inadvertent. It wasn’t much of a punch.”

— Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) March 9, 2022

A reporter pushed back after the coach said the punch was unintentional. The elder Boeheim was asked if he thought his son would be suspended, and he blew the question off.

Jim Boeheim says it wasn’t a punch, it was an inadvertent swing by Buddy on a player that “pushed him twice” and you “can’t let people push you around”

When asked if he’s concerned Buddy will be suspended: “For what?”

— Gregory Hall (@gregoryhall_) March 9, 2022

The punch clearly was deliberate, and it will put the ACC in a tough spot. Buddy is Syracuse’s best player, and Jim is one of the best coaches in college basketball history. If Buddy isn’t suspended, it will be viewed as favoritism. If he is, it could have a major impact on the ACC Tournament.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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