No. 5 Syracuse romps over Colgate 92-47

The Orange rolled to a 52-19 lead at the break, highlighted by Southerland's seven straight points in 17 seconds.

"These players had nothing to do with anything," Boeheim said. "The coaching staff has to focus on these players, what they need from us, and that's what we're going to do."

The allegations at Syracuse come on the heels of the child sex abuse allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, a scandal which cost coach Joe Paterno his job. While Sandusky's defenders have been scarce, if any, Fine has received an outpouring of support from the Syracuse basketball community.

Former Syracuse center Rony Seikaly was among a number of former Orange who staunchly defended Fine's character. In a telephone interview Thursday night with the AP, Boeheim backed Fine and said: "This kid came forward and there was no one to corroborate his story. Not one. Not one."

Boeheim enjoyed the blowout, smiling at times and walking over to the stands to shake hands with a man he knew during a break.

The Orange now move on to New York for the NIT Season Tipoff semifinals — with their longtime assistant left behind.