Buddy Boeheim punched a Florida State player in the stomach during Syracuse’s blowout win over the Seminoles on Wednesday, but he is not exactly holding himself fully accountable.
Boeheim socked Florida State’s Wyatt Wilkes in the gut after the Orange made a basket in the first half. It looked like Boeheim was upset after Wilkes tried to box him out on a rebound. You can see the play below:
Syracuse's Buddy Boeheim appears to take a dirty shot at #FSU's Wyatt Wilkes, who left the game in pain. Nothing called and no review. pic.twitter.com/UBxBsT7Mbd
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) March 9, 2022
The punch was clearly intentional, but Boeheim is not about to admit that. He said in a statement issued by Syracuse that he “was wrong to act out in frustration” but claimed the gut punch was a result of him swinging his arm while turning up the court.
Statement from Buddy Boeheim pic.twitter.com/1SvERy9GW7
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 9, 2022
Boeheim definitely did swing his arm, but he swung it right into Wilkes’ midsection — on purpose. You can see another angle of the play here.
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse’s head coach and Buddy’s father, made similar comments about the play after the game.
Like everyone else, Buddy and Jim know the punch was intentional. They are just hoping to avoid a suspension for Syracuse’s best player, but it would be a surprise if the ACC takes their side.
