In news that is disappointing, but maybe not that shocking, Dajaun Coleman is done for the year. The leg injury that has dogged him over the last few weeks is not healing properly, and surgery is needed. DC hasn’t played since the second half against Virginia Tech on Jan. 7th. He missed time even before that game.
It’s not that Syracuse can’t win without Coleman. The Orange has ripped off three straight since he went out for good (four if you include that Hokies game). The problem is yet another Syracuse big man goes down and leaves the squad short-handed in March. A few years ago Arinze Onuaku’s injury derailed a tourney run. Then Fab Melo’s academic/drug suspension put a dent in Jim Boeheim’s plans. Now it’s Coleman.
The good news is the ACC just isn’t nearly as loaded as we would’ve all predicted. Duke’s a top 25 team, but not an elite squad. Pitt is probably in that category as well. UNC is a disaster. In fact, the Orange only has two ranked opponents left (Blue Devils, Panthers) over three games. The Coleman injury might not bite the Orange until the NCAA tourney.
But rebounding and interior work has been the vulnerability of Syracuse this season. Coleman was averaging around 4 boards per gamre and was only getting 10-15 minutes per night, but it’s still another big body for Boeheim’s rotation. He had double-doubles against both Fordham and Binghamton, and while no one expected that in ACC play, it proved what type of player he could be on occasion.
Jerami Grant’s board work has already been a pleasant surprise, so that’ll have to continue. Rak Christmas is going to have to pull a little heavier of a load. C.J. Fair has to continue his all-around phenomenal play. Amazingly, the Orange ranks as only the 203rd team in the nation in rebounding anyway – and yet is still undefeated into January. So it’s not like this is a crucial part of the success. But it’s tough to see another lost year for Coleman, and an interior presence gone yet again for March. Luckily, this Syracuse team is one of the deepest Boeheim has ever had.
Posted: D.A.
4 responses to “Syracuse Basketball Big Man Dajuan Coleman Shut Down For The Season”
Arinze was a huge problem. With him SY goes to the final 4. With Melo, SU goes to the final 4. With DeJuan missing, he can get some more tattoos and SU can hustle on to another sweet 16 at least. Too bad but Coleman is no BIG loss,and SU can still be competitive. I’d rather see DeJuan and his tattoos go down that some of the other team members miss out.
Have you never watched DC on sideline? Always upbeat, clapping hands, cheering on his teammates. Never hangs his head. No confrontations with JB on bench over PT. Tatts, yes, but hardly a thug and definitely not a troublemaker. So cut the kid some slack. This a year he cannot get back. On his worst day he is a better offensive player and rebounder than BMK. RAK is foul prone and Keita can’t catch the ball. At some point in March we will need those 5 fouls. Frontline rotation is weakened and extra minutes may wear down Grant or even CJ. Look at last 5 minutes of Pitt game. How many rebounds did we get? Huge blow to FF hopes unless Roberson steps up. Right now doesn’t look like JB is going to give him the chance. Guard rotation can get it done. But just don’t think JG and CJ as 40 minute men will be enough.
PActually @John H. – I can argue that DC2’s size & inside scoring, will be missed more than Arinze’s 4.8 rebounds? I’m just saying…
Lucky we Kieta, & Roberson, Gbinije…all 6’7″ + bodies… DC2 didn’t/won’t play in 1/3rd of the games, so he’ll redshirt… ex: 10 of 30+= less than 33% of the season…redshirt?!? Possible, he can come back stronger, and be a cog in the middle for 3 season’s…#GLtoDC2recovery
But SU needs no sympathy….Grant starts. Kieta slides any big to powerforward when he subs in. Roberson is need for rebs & fouls. Gbinije is now the X factor….if he goes 6 ppg 3 rebs & 3 ast per game, we win any matchup, if he goes 2 or less ppg, with no production, it gets tough down the stretch.
AL- I agree! I’m glad someone else saw it at the end of the Pitt game we got owned on the class. I am hoping this means Roberson works in a little more moving forward. That will be important.