Report: Syracuse officials barred Jim Boeheim from speaking to media

Jim Boeheim's silence following Saturday's game was apparently not by choice.

The Syracuse coach didn't speak with the media following the team's 71-57 loss to N.C. State on Saturday, but he released a statement. He was reportedly told to avoid the postgame press conference, according to Brent Axe of Syracuse.com.

His absence, believed to be the first in his nearly 40-year career with the team, was prompted by an unidentified school official.

Assistant coach Mike Hopkins tried to explain Boeheim's lack of availability.

"The only reason Coach Boeheim is not here right now because he doesn't want to answer, 'No comment,'" Hopkins said.

Boeheim, who was penalized by the NCAA along with the team on Friday for failing to monitor the basketball program's compliance with NCAA regulations, will have 108 of his career wins vacated. He also received a nine-game suspension from conference play.