Syracuse basketball gives itself 1-year postseason ban after NCAA investigation

Syracuse men's basketball is getting a self-imposed one-year ban from postseason play that will take effect this season, the school announced on Wednesday. The ban will cover the ACC Tournament, NCAA Tournament and anything else after the Orange play N.C. State to end the regular season on March 7.

The ban comes in response to an NCAA investigation that has hovered around the program since 2007 when Syracuse turned itself in to the NCAA. None of the infractions occurred after 2012 and no current players are involved.

The improprieties at the center of the NCAA investigation reportedly included a look into the academic standing of former Orange big man Fab Melo and a failure by the program to enforce its own policy on failed drug tests.

Syracuse was looking like a bubble team sitting at 15-7 and 6-3 in the ACC. The Orange lost top freshman forward Chris McCullough to a torn ACL on Jan. 12.

Syracuse is hoping a proactive self-imposed punishment will help the program avoid future penalties from the NCAA. Assuming McCullough returns, the Orange could be poised for a big season in 2015-16 with a top 10 recruiting class currently lined up.