What I would have written if I'd been there

From Bud Poliquin's column today on Jim Boeheim's news conference last night:

He was talking about sexual molestation accusations by Bobby Davis against Bernie Fine:

Once so convinced of the innocence of his banished pal, the seemingly heinous Fine, that he’d pledged conditional loyalty until his death . . . once so certain that Davis had financial gain rather than tardy justice on his mind that he’d talked of the original accuser’s "bunch of a thousand lies" . . . once so sure of the unassailable nature of Syracuse basketball that he’d boldly invited rival recruiters to use the sexual-abuse allegations against his program, Boeheim had toned himself down.



By mandate from his superiors or by choice after some prudent self-examination, it didn’t matter. The Hall of Fame coach, usually so willing to joust with his inquisitors, had loosened the grip on his lance. And on Tuesday evening, in his first official public appearance since that statement of regret had been issued in his name on Sunday, Boeheim -- aware that much of the basketball nation was watching -- was very nearly engaging.


Still, defiance dies a slow death in stubborn men. And so it is with Boeheim, who was willing to yield little ground on Tuesday’s warm November night.