It really is sad imo. The guy is being squeezed by his President to be the University spokesperson and it is obvious to me he is not comfortable being the talking head for this situation. His first statements were genuine and quite different than these recent statements. He most likely had discussions with Syracuse powers and they laid it on the line for him. And now his loyalty to his school is forcing him to say and do things that are not his complete truth.
IMO he should tell the President to fight his own battles.