The NCAA came down hard on Syracuse and head coach Jim Boeheim this month. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thinks the penalties were excessive.
Krzyzewski appeared on SiriusXM/Mad Dog Sports Radio on Tuesday to discuss Syracuse's situation. Via CollegeBasketballTalk, the Duke coach provided his thoughts to host Chris Russo:
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Russo: “Have you had a chance to talk to Jim Boeheim about what happened at Syracuse?”
Krzyzewski: “Yeah, I talk to Jim all the time. We spend our summers together with USA Basketball and he’s my closest friend in coaching, and really one of the great guys in coaching and one of the great coaches of all time. I’ve talked to him since the sanctions, since everything’s been put out. I think they were hit excessively. I would hope that they will be given a chance to appeal and that some of these things will be lessened, especially the vacating of victories. He’s positive about the fact that he can keep his program at the high level that he’s had it and I’m sure he can do that. They certainly have the right to appeal, they will and I would hope that they get some favorable decisions made as a result of that appeal.”
As part of the punishment, Boeheim was suspended for nine ACC games and his team lost 12 scholarships over the course of four years. In addition, 108 of Boeheim's wins were vacated.
Boeheim hasn't said much about the punishments. He skipped out on a postgame press conference after a game against N.C. State.
Since Boeheim won't talk, Russo asked Krzyzewski if Boeheim was remorseful.
Russo: “Is he somewhat remorseful, Mike? Does he understand that maybe he did make a couple of mistakes?”
Krzyzewski: “Well, I think they would take responsibility for what’s happened. I mean everybody, when stuff happens you take responsibility for it. It doesn’t mean that you agree with the level of punishment and in this case it seems severe. And so I think that’s what they’re going to do but you’d have to ask them about exactly what they’re going to do.”