Obviously SU basketball fans are disappointed by the latest development. The news spread quickly across the Central New York area. But as our Katie Gibas reports, it's also exploded onto the national scene with Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Obviously SU basketball fans are disappointed by the latest development. The news spread quickly across the Central New York area. But as our Katie Gibas reports, it's also exploded onto the national scene with Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

With a number one seed in the NCAA tournament and a 30 and 1 record in the regular season, 2012 seemed to be the year for S-U basketball. But with Fab Melo's ineligibility for the tournament, the Orange will have to make some major adjustments. And fans are crushed.

"It's going to be tough for us. he's been a crucial part of the team this year. I'm kind of disappointed to hear that," said Brooks Hausser, a Syracuse University junior.

Alex Smith, an SU Basketball fan said, "It's terrible. It's like going to go out to go fish and you lost your greatest lure ever. You know, the one that you cherish and it just snapped. They still have a chance but they're 18% short of what they were."

Now if only bracketology were that precise. The news went viral across social media outlets. The most common post being, "Now I've got to change my brackets." But local fans are still trying to be optimistic.

"I still think we have a really solid team. We've had a really good lineup this whole year. I hope this whole thing blows over that it's not too big of a deal. I think we'll be okay though," said Hausser.

Dorothy Champney, an SU fan added, "I'm going to be positive. I'm going to hope for the best. He has a lot of really good players and maybe some of the others will step up to the plate and help out."

Al Campanie, another SU fan said, "This has been a great season either way. It's a letdown, but I think you can't negate how well they've played and how good the season has been."

The University declared Melo ineligible for the tournament. They would not elaborate. But sources are telling ESPN that the move has to do with Melo's first suspension earlier this season for academic issues.

"I think that somebody dropped the ball. That shouldn't happen to a basketball player. I'm sure they have tutors of all types and somebody should be on these guys and make sure they have their grades up and their coursework done," said Campanie.

As for Syracuse's future in the tournament, we'll find that out when they play Thursday.