Jim Boeheim
/ SU Athletics file photo
SYRACUSE -- Even though there are significant differences between the two cases, several national sports writers have suggested the allegations surrounding Bernie Fine could bring down Jim Boeheim in the way charges against Jerry Sandusky eventually brought down Penn State's Joe Paterno.
At Penn State, it has been alleged that Paterno was told about possible abuse but did not contact authorities. So far, no one has suggested that Boeheim had any knowledge of the alleged incidents before the police did. On Monday, many Syracuse fans say the two cases need to be kept separate and that comparing Jim Boeheim to Joe Paterno isn't fair.
"Until someone comes up and says they told him and he knew, I think he should be left alone," said Bree Riese.
Some critics have said Boeheim is ultimately responsible for the basketball program and should not have accused former Syracuse University ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang of lying. At the same time, fans point out that none of the accusers have said Jim Boeheim knew anything about the alleged abuse - and he may have been fooled like everyone else.
"If he knew anything about that, he would have said something. It was, in retrospect wrong about calling the kid a liar, but he was sticking up for his friend and his character," said SU fan John Corrado.
"I think Jim had no idea along with most of the people and he's a great role model, everybody loves him around here," added Morgan Corrado.
Many SU fans say they want to see the full investigation completed so they can have a better understanding of what is true - or false - about all of the allegations that have been made so far.
Amid the investigation, the team is trying to prepare for its game Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome. SU plays Eastern Michigan and former Orange assistant coach Rob Murphy at 7:00.
Boeheim was with his team for practice on Monday. According to an ESPN report, Boeheim does not plan to resign.
College basketball insider Andy Katz reports Boeheim called a rare, off-day meeting on Sunday after the Laurie Fine audio tape surfaced. The purpose of the meeting was reportedly to scout upcoming opponents and bring the players together, so they were not on their own as the news was spreading.
