Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Syracuse Orange will be without two players as the team works to stay undefeated, taking on Notre Dame tonight. The University released two statements Saturday afternoon regarding matters the school called separate and unrelated.
"Sophomore Fab Melo is not with the team for the current road trip, which includes games
against Notre Dame (tonight) and against Cincinnati (Jan. 23)," the statement reads.
A team source has confirmed to NewsChannel 9 that Melo is being held out due to an unresolved academic issue from the first semester. If the matter is cleared up, the sophomore center can start playing again.
Melo was the Orange leader in rebounds and blocked shots. His 3-blocks-per-game average ranked 13th nationally.
SU also confirmed junior Mookie Jones has left Syracuse University for personal reasons and is currently not a member of the team. The University declined to provide any further details because of the school's policy, as well as federal student privacy laws.
Jones appeared in just 7 games for the Orange this season, averaging less than 3 points per contest.
