Jim Boeheim skips news conference

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jim Boeheim declined to attend his postgame news conference Saturday after the Hall of Fame Syracuse coach and his team were taunted by NC State fans during their season-ending loss to the Wolfpack.

Boeheim, who anticipated that he would have been questioned heavily about the NCAA sanctions levied against Syracuse on Friday, opted to release a brief statement following the Orange's 71-57 loss.

"Yesterday I issued a full statement with my thoughts on and reaction to the NCAA Committee on Infractions report," Boeheim said. "In that statement I said I would have no further comment on this matter as I consider my options moving forward. That remains the case today."

Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins addressed the media and said the only reason why Boeheim did not was because he "doesn't want to answer 'no comment.'"

Boeheim's statement added: "There will be time in the future for me to more fully comment on NCAA issues and of course I will take the opportunity to do that at the right time."

Many NC State fans stopped their "Wolf! Pack!" chant during Syracuse's starting lineups long enough to strongly boo Boeheim when he was introduced before the game.

Then others sang the chorus from the Village People song "YMCA" during Syracuse's early possessions. It was a reference to some of the violations outlined by the NCAA, notably that a booster had provided more than $8,000 in cash to three football and two men's basketball players for volunteering at a local YMCA.

Syracuse had previously announced a one-year postseason ban amid the ongoing case, making the trip to NC State the final stop in Boeheim's 39th season and keeping the Orange out of next week's ACC tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina.

But on Friday, the NCAA wrapped things up by hitting the school with penalties for academic, drug and gift violations committed primarily by the men's basketball team.

Syracuse players said the report wasn't a distraction. Despite the backdrop of the sanctions and the season ending, junior guard Trevor Cooney said Boeheim had the same demeanor he always maintained.

"He was no different at all," Cooney said. "He approached this game just like he approached a tournament game, the first game of the regular season and exhibition games. Did the same exact thing -- he just wanted to win."

While the school faces financial penalties, scholarship reductions and five years of probation, possibly the biggest penalty was saved for Boeheim himself -- a nine-game suspension for next season to be served during ACC games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.