The first chip has fallen in the NCAA investigation into Syracuse University Athletics. Wednesday, SU announced a self-imposed post-season ban on the men's basketball program -- dashing any hopes the current team had of playing in the NCAAs. This all stems from an 8-year investigation by the NCAA Committee on infractions into the school's athletic department. Brad Vivacqua  reports.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse University basketball fans are still trying to digest the news that came Wednesday night.

For the first time since the early 90s, Orange hoops fans won't have a post-season of any kind to look forward to.

NCAA officials have been looking into several missteps made by the men's basketball and football programs. The NCAA still has not finished the final report and more sanctions could be levied against the school.

Time Warner Cable News talked to some of the biggest SU basketball fans Wednesday night on Marshall Street. SU students say they are disappointed the Orange won't be playing in March Madness. Some tried to stay optimistic.

"When we got that email from Kent it was really disappointing because like as a freshman I was really excited for all this but then again if it's going to be any year I'd pick this year because next year we're going to be way better anyways," said Molly MacDonald, an SU freshman.

Further sanctions could be coming in the days and weeks ahead, but what we know now is that the Orange will not participate in the NCAA or ACC tournaments this year.

The Orange captains released a joint statement Wednesday night, talking about the post-season ban. Rakeem Christmas, Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney said:

“We are all tremendously disappointed that we are going to miss out on playing in the postseason based on issues that do not involve us. However, we support our school and this won’t change how hard we will continue to work in practice and in games.”

Obviously, this is a disappointing day for the SU basketball team that has worked hard to stay in the post-season conversation.

Now the question is whether the NCAA will tack any additional penalties onto the self-imposed ban, which is something that the players, the university, and the fans are hoping doesn't happen.

And the other part of this for fans is that some ACC Tournament tickets have already been sold.

The university announced Wednesday that anyone who purchased tickets through the Carrier Dome Box Office can request a refund starting Thursday.

The box office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and you can reach them by phone at 888-dome-tix, or via email at mail@carrier.com.