Syracuse, N.Y. -- Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard was suspended for two games for tampering with a transfer, according to reports.

The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press was the first to report the news of Willard’s suspension.

The New York Post cited sources indicating that the transfer in question was former Syracuse center Taurean Thompson.

Multiple sources: The Seton Hall trasnfer involved in the tampering investigation is Taurean Thompson. #shbb — Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 29, 2019

According to the New York Post, Seton Hall issued the suspension as a result of an NCAA investigation into allegations of tampering. The NCAA’s investigation is continuing.

Willard will sit out Seton Hall’s exhibition game tonight against Misericordia and the Pirates’ regular-season opener against Wagner next Tuesday.

Thompson, a 6-10 center, spent one year at Syracuse. He played for the Orange during the 2016-17 season. He started 21 games that season, averaging 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. He was set to start at center for Syracuse as a sophomore, but abruptly transferred to Seton Hall on the day before the beginning of the 2017 fall semester.

Syracuse.com reported on Thompson’s surprising transfer and the roster machinations Seton Hall went through to create a spot for him.

After sitting out the 2017-18 season under NCAA rules regarding transfers, Thompson played in 27 games for the Pirates last year. He averaged just 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in a reserve role.

“Seton Hall University has been working collaboratively with the NCAA enforcement staff to address an infraction within our men’s basketball program," a statement from Seton Hall’s athletic department said. "Our department has been proactive in our review and has been fully cooperating with the NCAA enforcement staff. As head coach, Coach Willard assumes responsibility for the program, including this underlying violation, and has agreed to sit out the October 29 exhibition contest and the November 5 game. This matter is still in review, and as a result, we will refrain from commenting any further until it is resolved. Seton Hall is and always will be committed to a culture of compliance, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure it.”

Assistant coach Grant Billmeier will run the team during the two games. Willard will continue to run the 12th-ranked Hall’s practices between the two games.

Mike Waters is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and Syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at mwaters@syracuse.com.

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