Statement from Syracuse's Boeheim following final game

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim didn't attend the postgame news conference following the season-ending 71-57 loss at North Carolina State on Saturday, instead issuing the following statement:

''Yesterday I issued a full statement with my thoughts on and reaction to the NCAA committee on infractions report. In that statement I said I would have no further comment on this matter as I consider my options moving forward. That remains the case today.

''Win or lose, today should be about this terrific team and how they have made me, our coaches, the university and the community proud during a challenging season on and off the court. I'm as proud of this team as any I have ever coached. I think these players have done everything any and all of us could have asked for them to do.

''I want to make sure today, as we play our last game and are together for (the) last time as (a) team, that the focus is on our players, and all they have done to make our university proud. This should be the focus this afternoon and nothing else.

''That is why I have asked coach Mike Hopkins to lead today's postgame media availability. There will be time in the future for me to more fully comment on NCAA issues and of course I will take the opportunity to do that at the right time.''