Boeheim, 62, participated in the annual Doretta Rich Memorial Golf Tournament at Leatherstocking Golf Course Tuesday, and took some time to answer questions on the fifth green of the famous course.

Syracuse was 24-11 overall and 10-6 in the Big East Conference a year ago, but the team and its fans were shocked on Selection Sunday when they found out they did not get a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Boeheim was vocal in his disappointment with the selection committee, and said Tuesday it should give his team some added motivation for the 2007-08 campaign.

``It’s something that happened and we have to put it in the past, but at the same time it still burns,’’ Boeheim said. ``We have a good nucleus coming back and we have some very good recruits. I think this is going to be a good group.’’

Boeheim said Jonny Flynn, a point guard out of Niagara Falls, and Donte Green, a 6’9’’ forward from Baltimore, both McDonald’s All-Americans, have a chance to start right away next season.

``They are both very good and people are going to hear a lot about them,’’ Boeheim said. ``We have Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris and Andy Rautins all returning as well.’’

The Orangemen lost leading scorer Demetris Nicols as well as big men Darryl Watkins and Terrence Roberts to graduation. Devendorf will be the leading returning scorer next year after averaging 17.9 points-a-game as a sophomore.

``The addition of Flynn will let Eric play the two-guard where he is more comfortable and will probably be more effective,’’ Boeheim said. ``We had a freshman center red shirt last year and he’ll help make up for the loss of our big men.’’

Boeheim said he got involved with the tournament after assistant coach Mike Hopkins played in the tournament for a couple of years and told him about it.

``It’s a great cause and a great course, and I’m glad to be here,’’ Boeheim said.

It was announced during the offseason that Hopkins, also a former player at Syracuse, will take over for Boeheim after he retires. Boeheim has coached the team for 31 years, losing in the NCAA Tournament finals in 1987 and 1996, before finally winning it all in 2003. His career record is 750 wins against 264 losses.

Asked how much longer he wanted to coach, Boeheim, whose current contract ends in 2009, said: ``Maybe two years and maybe as many as 10. Hopefully, more like 10 but you never know what the future holds.’’

For his immediate future, Boeheim said he and his team would be happy with a return to the NCAA Tournament.

``That’s the goal every year and probably even more so next year,’’ he said.

The Doretta Rich Memorial Tournament is in its ninth year, and is hosted by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care. On Monday night a Hospice Celebrity Party was held, where an auction on sports related items raised approximately $55,000. The Doobie Brothers provided musical entertainment and Boeheim made opening remarks.

The concert and the golf tournament are the largest fundraisers for the organization, bringing in $124,000 last year, said Hospice Director of Development Huemac Garcia.

``We count on the event funds to help take care of patients and families that Hospice serves,’’ he said.