The NCAA dialed back its sanctions against the Syracuse University men's basketball program, but did not return a ruling on Jim Boeheim's suspension.
According to The Associated Press, the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee decided to reduce the team's scholarships by eight over the next four years, rather than 12. But the committee upheld vacating the Orange's wins in which an ineligible player appeared between 2004 and 2012.
The NCAA's decision on Syracuse's appeal was not complete, however, and did not contain a ruling on Boeheim's nine-game suspension that will go into effect for the team's conference schedule.
Completing a multi-year investigation in March, the NCAA determined the Syracuse men's basketball program committed academic misconduct, and had players who accepted impermissible benefits and played despite failed drug tests. Additionally, Boeheim received the dreaded "lack of institutional control" charge.
In a statement addressing the NCAA's decision, Syracuse's senior vice president for public affairs, Kevin Quinn, added that the NCAA reduced its fine by $1.23 million.
"The University is pleased with these two positive outcomes resulting from our appeal," he said. "We strongly believed the original scholarship reduction penalty was too severe when compared to other infraction cases. Also, the scholarship reduction penalty directly impacts current and future student-athletes and their academic and athletic opportunities. We remain disappointed in the decision to vacate a significant amount of men's basketball wins, a decision that was upheld."
