Jim Boeheim rips own player: 'He has a long way to go'

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim had some strong words aimed towards his best freshman.

Forward Chris McCullough has been less than stellar in the 7-4 Orange's last three contests, and following their 78-43 win over Colgate, his coach lashed out.

"He's a lottery pick, I don't know how he could possibly struggle against Colgate. It just doesn't make sense to me. I've got a better chance of winning the lottery and I don't buy tickets," Boeheim said, according to Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com.

McCullough averaged 14.4 points and 8.9 rebounds in the first eight games, and has fallen to 4 points and 6.3 rebounds in the next three.

Boeheim, who has been historically critical of draft projections, contends that there's plenty of room for improvement for his player.

"I don't think they're even playing him. I don't think they're even worried about him to be honest with you. He has a long way to go. He has to work hard at the game and gain 20 or 30 pounds and he'll be a good player someday," Boeheim said.

Ultimately in the ever-growing trend of being a one-and-done player, the rant may just be a tactic employed by a veteran coach to sway his player from going professional too early.