Month Left in DC 2.0 Race: Coleman Attends Kentucky’s Midnight Madness
D.A. | Oct 17, 2011 | Comments 7
Syracuse’s biggest target Dajuan Coleman, the top center in the 2012 class, attended Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness on Friday night. DC 2.0 is one of the top 5 overall prospects and appears to be deciding between SU, UK and Ohio State. Coleman told The Fizz he’s planning on making his choice by early November. He joined Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Poythress, Willie Cauley and Archie Goodwin at the Wildcat basketball kickoff party. Goodwin has already committed to Coach Cal.
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Players are attracted to Calipari because of his advocacy for them reaching the NBA. UK’s track record of churning out pros recently is unmatched. However, SU and OSU have also produced lottery picks over the last few years, so that angle is not a slam-dunk for Calipari.
We know Coleman is very familiar with Jim Boeheim’s record as a coach, since the Orange has been recruiting him for years. SU has clearly benefitted from its impending move to the ACC in both football and basketball recruiting. Could the opportunity to play at the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor a few years from now help nudge DC 2.0 to stay home?
Dajuan sounded impressed by the aura at UK before Friday.
“I am excited to experience the phenomenon known as Big Blue Madness.”
It’s a little discouraging Coleman chose UK’s madness over staying in his backyard where SU also rolled out its A-list: Carmelo, Wes, Donte and Rautins. Perhaps the most important guest that DC would’ve been with at the Dome was his former teammate Brandon Triche. Although, Triche has said he will not politic for Coleman to join the Orange.
On the bright side, there was one DC in the house at Syracuse’s Midnight Madness. Too bad former legend Derrick Coleman (DC 1.0) is about 100 lbs. over his playing weight at SU, because The Per’fesser wouldn’t mind having another choice in the pivot.
Ohio State is using their superstar big man Jared Sullinger to appeal to Coleman. Sullinger is a longtime friend of DC 2.0, and hopes to bring him to Columbus with the angle Coleman can have similar success. Dajuan says Sullinger’s success makes OSU attractive.
“Ohio State, I like how they use their big man and develop big men so that’s one thing about them. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player.”
The stretch run is on for Coleman. In less than a month, we’ll know which school is the big winner for the biggest target to come out of CNY in years. The urgency to reel in DC 2.0 is heating up for Syracuse.
Posted: Jake Moskowitz
Filed Under: Featured • Recruiting
Coleman will be overrated in my opinion. He is a big man in high school, but in college there will be taller guys down low who are more athletic and not just a “bruiser” like he is. Id prefer Nerlens Noel over him any day of the week.
Would I be happy if Coleman committed to the Orange? Yes…but simply based on the “potential”…but my gut is that he is way too hyped up.
On behalf of Syracuse fans…stop calling him DC 2.0. You guys are how I know he doesn’t like being compared to Derrick Coleman…but youre trying to christen him with a nickname it’s clear he wouldn’t enjoy. High school kids read stuff about themselves ( as you know with that football player from last spring…dont make that mistake again.) Good coverage Though as usual
I agree with Jake. After making it perfectly clear that he’s his own person and doesn’t like to be compared to Derrick Coleman, the media decides to call him DC 2.0. I would go to Kentucky.
Agree with Jake and Orange on the DC 2.0 comment. give that title to him if he plays at ‘Cuse.
…But he isn’t. If he wanted to play at ‘Cuse he would have already committed.
Here’s the question, then. What should we call Dajuan Coleman? DJC? Ideas?
Hm…..how about…DaJuan Coleman…?!??!!?
I absolutely agree about the name issue. Wherever he chooses to play, his friends, coaches and teammates will give him a nickname based on his personality and play style. The fact that the media is attempting to impose a title that Coleman doesn’t care for is simply insulting. As for the real issue of this article, I think we should all brace ourselves for the increasing possibility that Coleman will not be playing for Syracuse. Previous articles have said not to worry about his choice to visit Kentucky for Midnight Madness, or don’t fret that he has no “official” visit set with ‘Cuse and that the strong ties to friends and coaches at SU would play heavily into his final decision. Hate to be so pessimistic but I think that’s all a load of crap. I hope that I’m wrong but I just don’t know why he would visit UK for their BB recruiting Gala unless they, not SU, were the frontrunner in the Dajuan Coleman sweepstakes.