Billy Edelin talked to the media Friday at Syracuse men’s basketball’s annual Media Day – for the first time since leaving the team in February.

The point guard was in uniform, though he did not begin practice with SU on Saturday.

While the mystery surrounding Edelin intensified after he left SU for personal reasons, Edelin was calm and candid Friday.

Edelin said he is hopeful he will make it back sometime this year, whether his NCAA appeal goes through in the first semester – allowing him to play immediately – or when his grades go through after first semester – allowing him to play sometime over Winter Break.

Edelin said there is no chance the personal problems that plagued him last year will come back.

When asked if he had a message for Syracuse fans, Edelin said: ‘This year I want it to be focused on the team. I don’t want this to be a distraction.’

SU head coach Jim Boeheim echoed similar sentiments at his press conference.

‘Right now, obviously, we’re just happy Billy is back,’ Boeheim said. ‘How much he even practices is up in the air right now, or if he will practice. I’m more concerned that he gets caught up academically over the next few weeks.

‘Billy is always pretty much ready to play basketball. He keeps himself in shape. I’m more concerned with just the academic part right now.’

Currently, Edelin is taking 18 credits, including three classes on Fridays.

‘Obviously I wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t think at some point I would get an opportunity to get back out there,’ Edelin said. ‘Eighteen credits is a lot to take for one semester.

‘Usually you would take 12 or 15, and if you were doing bad you would drop one. But I can’t. I need all 18.’

Edelin appeared relaxed Friday, joking with reporters and willing for his long ordeal to come to a swift end. It contrasted last year, when the Syracuse staff shielded Edelin from speaking with the media and walled off any relevant information.

Edelin took a medical leave from the university in the spring of last year. The university said he left because of personal reasons. Edelin attempted to make up the credits missed by taking two summer sessions of classes.

Meanwhile, freshman point guard Josh Wright, sophomore Louie McCroskey and sophomore Demetris Nichols will compete for the vacant starting position.

‘Coach Boeheim gets paid a lot of money to (decide who will start),’ Edelin said. ‘It’s hard to think about playing time when you don’t know when you’ll get to the court. That’s the last of my worries right now.’

Edelin is ineligible because he does not have the minimum amount of credits for a senior to play. Though he has the eligibility of a junior, Edelin must complete the credits of a fourth-year student since he arrived at SU in the fall of 2001.

Edelin was suspended by the university for what would have been his freshman year after female students accused Edelin of sexual misconduct. That year counted as a redshirt year. Academically, though, Edelin’s clock started. Now, he must be at the senior level.

Currently, SU is waiting to hear back from the NCAA on a credit-requirement appeal, which was filed because of Edelin’s unique situation.

‘You all know the situation with Mike Williams, the best player in (college) football, and he didn’t find out until the day before,’ Edelin said, referring to the Southern California wide receiver who filed an NCAA appeal after declaring himself eligible for the NFL Draft in the spring. ‘I’m gonna make sure I work on the school stuff first, because that’s the most important thing.’

Published on October 17, 2004 at 12:00 pm