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Syracuse, NY – After his team’s victory over Miami on Tuesday night, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said the two Orange backcourt starters; Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard, had been ill with the coronavirus during the recent break from the program.
Syracuse has taken an 18-day hiatus, which began after University of Buffalo players tested positive for Covid after Syracuse’s game against the Bulls on December 19.
Syracuse had to postpone three games during the shutdown of team activities before returning to the field on Jan.6 for a game against Pittsburgh. Syracuse had lost three of its four games since returning from the break.
Syracuse officials had not confirmed the Syracuse player’s positive test, but Boeheim noted his son and Girard battled the virus in the wake of Orange’s 83-57 rash in Miami. Boeheim and Girard both scored 23 points in Tuesday’s win.
“I think Buddy is just starting to get his rhythm back after all the time and having the Covid, the whole thing,” Jim Boeheim said. “Buddy and Joe were both out of it. They were sick and they were out.
Girard did not want to use the coronavirus as an excuse for Orange’s 1-3 record immediately after the Covid-related team’s break, but he admitted he was suffering from symptoms including fatigue and loss of taste and smell.
Girard also suffers from asthma, which he says worries his parents and League staff.
“My mate and I don’t like to make excuses,” Girard said. “We love competition. I don’t want to speak for him, but to be honest I think I would be lying if we didn’t gradually feel better. You just have to be patient and stay positive. Obviously we feel better over time. ”
Girard has said at times that he was so tired that even after waking up in the morning he felt the need to go back to bed.
Girard and Boeheim weren’t the only players who tested positive during the team’s December break. Jim Boeheim recently said freshman forward Woody Newton needs to stay in isolation longer than some of the other players. Additionally, freshman center Frank Anselem was not in uniform for any of Syracuse’s four games before Tuesday. He was in uniform on Tuesday but did not play.
Earlier in the season, Jim Boeheim and a fellow tested positive, forcing the team to shut down all activities for almost two weeks before the season opens. Syracuse attended training before playing against Bryant on November 27.
In early December, an unidentified walk-on tested positive. At the time, Buddy Boeheim had to self-quarantine as part of contact tracing protocols. He missed three games.
Testing positive is different from being in quarantine due to contact tracing. Players who test positive cannot work individually at Melo Center.
While in isolation, Girard sent a video to Buddy Boeheim, showing him sniffing a bottle of hot sauce and getting absolutely no reaction.
Prior to Tuesday’s game against Miami, Syracuse had played twice in Pittsburgh, Georgetown and North Carolina. In those four games, Girard averaged just 8.5 points and shot 11 for 33 from the field.
Buddy Boeheim averaged 14.7 points, but his outside shot was missed. He only managed nine of 33 3-pointers in the four games.
“Everyone knows they were (sick), but then they expect them to come back and play like nothing has happened. It just doesn’t work that way. ”
Girard said he spent part of his recovery time walking and texting with compatriot Jimmer Fredette, who advised him to work on puzzles and read books.
“I think the steps helped,” he says.
Girard also admitted that he is still not 100% back to normal.
“I’m close,” he said.
In Tuesday’s game, Girard’s 23 points came from 8 in 15 shots from the field and 5 out of 9 3-pointers. Buddy Boeheim scored 23 points by making 9 out of 16 field goal attempts, including 4 out of 8 from the 3-point line.
“It’s the best they both played this year,” said Boeheim.
More basketball from Syracuse:
Kadary Richmond & Jesse Edwards leave the bench to trigger Syracuse against Miami (quick shots from Donna Ditota)
You rate the Orange after winning Miami
Syracuse-Miami boxed score
ACC Power Rankings: How far can Syracuse men’s basketball go?
Former Syracuse star Rafael Addison joins Inside Syracuse Basketball podcast
Contact Mike Waters anytime at [email protected] or find him on Twitter at @MikeWatersSYR.
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