Syracuse is a third of the way through ACC play and there has been one notable absence: Dajuan Coleman.
Through six games of league play, the center has logged just one minute, a filler near the end of the first half in a win against Miami.
After playing some of his best basketball to start the season, Coleman has not eclipsed double digit minutes since late December against St. Johns.
Coleman is just a year removed from starting every single game for a team that made it to the Final Four. In fact, he was granted a fifth year of eligibility in order to play this season.
Coleman is the team’s third leading rebounder, yet is not on the floor despite the Orange getting outrebounded 193-174 in ACC play, including this past week’s loss to UNC where SU was outrebounded by 20. He has two double-digit rebound games through 14 games after recording just one last season. Amongst Syracuse’s ten most used lineups this season, the senior appears on four and has a positive plus/minus in all but one.
Jim Boeheim has alluded to Coleman’s health as a reason for his absence, so there is one explanation. But Syracuse could use another body with the volume of minutes being played by its frontcourt. This is especially crucial given the team’s rebounding struggles.
So when will we see the big man?
Barring further health issues, the Orange needs Coleman on the floor soon. With a stretch against some of the best rebounding teams in the conference coming up, the Jamesville native should appear in the near future.
The ACC is a rebounding powerhouse. Six teams appear in the nation’s top 75 in rebounds per game. While the Orange is somewhat holding its own in the conference at ninth, Syracuse still has a ways to go to elevate past teams on the boards, and SU needs Coleman on the floor.
