Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim is getting old and cranky. The Orange lost a tough game at Marquette on Monday night, and the 68-year-old coach seemed like he was in no mood to speak with reporters about it afterword.
According to FOX Sports Wisconsin, it started when a reporter asked Boeheim if injured forward DaJuan Coleman would have been an option to try to slow down Marquette’s Davante Gardner inside. Coleman has been out since Jan. 26 with a knee injury, but he has been practicing with the team and has been cleared to play.
“You should try coaching because that’s what you think you are,” Boeheim barked at the reporter after noting that his two best defenders were on the court. “Maybe you should try that.”
Boeheim’s blood then seemed to reach an even higher temperature when he was asked a question about whether or not his team lacks a leader to lean on during a late-season losing streak.
“I don’t even understand that,” he said. “You think because you come to Marquette and lose a three-point game you need a new guy? I don’t.”
It should be noted that the “losing streak” that was being referred to is a two-game skid against Georgetown and Marquette — two teams who are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. It should also be noted that Boeheim went off on ESPN’s Andy Katz over a week ago, so his patience with reporters seems to be at an all-time low. The legendary coach continued to rant after reporters went silent.
“Any more coaches here?” he asked. “Want to ask another coaching question? I’d be happy to take it. I’ve only been doing this 37 years, I’m sure you’ve got more ideas of who we should play or we shouldn’t play or who should lead? What do I know?”
Boeheim was then asked about taking his final trip to Marquette as a member of the Big East, but he was in no mood for nostalgia. Instead, he took the question as an opportunity to rip the Big East for not signing a television deal to keep its members in tact. Silence set over the room once again, but not over Boeheim.
“Any more ideas for me guys? I think you ought to know by now if you start asking me those questions, I just laugh at you. That’s all I’ll do.”
Boeheim concluded his presser by telling reporters to “Go get your Pulitzer someplace else.” Syracuse is still very much a national contender, but it may be getting close to that time where Boeheim should make the same decision his buddy Jim Calhoun did. It’s starting to look like the job is taking its toll.
