Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said Monday that forward James Southerland’s ineligibility is troubling, but he is optimistic that it will be resolved.

During an interview on ESPN SportsCenter, Boeheim said Southerland could eventually be back with the team this season. Boeheim was at ESPN’s campus in Bristol, Conn. promoting his involvement with The Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge, but much of his interview focused on the ineligibility of his third-leading scorer.

“This is an issue that could be resolved,” Boeheim said. “It is an issue you have to go through and James is going through it.”

Southerland was ruled ineligible before Syracuse’s 72-61 win over Villanova Saturday. The university released a statement that did not reveal the reason for his ineligibility.

“Due to an eligibility matter, Senior James Southerland will not participate in competition until further notice,” the statement said. “Given University policy and federal student privacy laws, we are unable to provide any further details at this time.”

Southerland was one of the country’s best sixth men early in the season. He gave Syracuse a spark off of the bench and his shooting ability from the arc was especially key for the Orange.

In Syracuse’s win over Arkansas Nov. 30, he hit nine 3-pointers in a 35-point performance. He’s averaging 12.5 points in the Orange’s last four games he played and 13.6 on the year.

Forward C.J. Fair said Saturday that while Southerland is unable to be on the court, his presence on the bench is still important. He’s one of the Orange’s most experienced players, and he’s also popular with his teammates because of his vivacious personality.

“He’s still a part of the team,” Fair said, “he’s just not playing with us.”

Boeheim said Monday he went through 35 seasons without any of his players having eligibility issues, and now he’s had two in the last two years.

Fab Melo missed two games during the regular season in 2011 after he was ruled academically ineligible, then missed the entire NCAA Tournament for the same reason.

“It is most troubling because you feel bad for the individual and what he has to go through, now what I am going through and what the team goes through,” Boeheim said. “We will get through this, and hopefully, James will get through this.”

Published on January 14, 2013 at 11:48 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman