Syracuse University Admits Hoops Program Drug-Policy Violations

On the March Madness precipice, ESPN.com reports that Syracuse University has self-reported violations to its internal anti-drug policy by its men's basketball program. The school now awaits an NCAA inquiry's findings.

Senior Public Affairs VP for the university Kevin Quinn told ESPN that reported violations don't involve current athletes.

"To ensure the integrity of the ongoing process, we are unable to comment further at this time," Quinn said via released written statement.

A three-month Yahoo Sports investigation citing anonymous sources reportedly concluded not only that the school didn't follow its own drug policy, but repeatedly played at least 10 ineligible players over the past decade. It alleges that at least 10 players since 2001 failed tests for banned recreational substances, without specifying which players or substances. It did indicate that those players practiced and/or played sometimes knowing they were ineligible, but sometimes with their respective eligibility still undetermined.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim wasn't immediately available for comment to ESPN. Neither Syracuse Athletic Director Daryl Gross nor NCAA officials immediately returned calls.

Both the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and AP Top 25 rankings place the 30-1 Syracuse Orangemen #2 with the NCAA Tournament looming, behind the 30-1 Kentucky Wildcats.