Syracuse sophomore center Fab Melo won’t be going to the dance this year. Melo won’t play in the NCAA tournament due to an eligibility to issue.
The school did not elaborate but Newsday reports that Melo, a 7 foot center from Brazil, missed three games this season because of his academics. During Melo’s absence Syracuse went 2-1. A message on the school’s website read:
“Given University policy and federal student privacy laws, no further details can be provided at this time.”
According to ESPN reporter Dana O’Neil, Melo won’t play in the tournament because of his academics. A source told O’Neil:
“This is an academic issue related to the first suspension. He was initially cleared after the first suspension but the NCAA has since revisited the case and deemed him ineligible again.”
Melo isn’t a big scorer for The Orange but the center definitely makes an impact on the floor. Melo is averaged 5.8 rounds and 2.9 blocks per game this season. Melo, who had 88 blocks this season, earned the defensive player of the year award in the Big East.
Sophomore Baye Keita and freshman Rakeem Christmas will play in Melo’s place.
Do you think Syracuse’s NCAA championship hopes have been ruined by Fab Melo’s academic performance? How far will The Orange advance without their star center?
