SU confirms Donnie Freeman will return from 9-game absence vs. Clemson
Syracuse leading scorer Donnie Freeman is available for the Orange’s ACC opener against Clemson after missing nine straight games. Eli Schwartz | Assistant Photo Editor
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Syracuse sophomore forward Donnie Freeman will return from a lower-body injury Wednesday against Clemson after missing SU’s last nine games, an SU spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. Freeman’s return coincides with the start of Atlantic Coast Conference play, a crucial stretch that likely decides the Orange’s NCAA Tournament fate.
Freeman was not listed on the ACC’s initial player availability report, which is released before each conference bout. Freshman guard Aaron Womack was the only SU player listed as out for its ACC opener against the Tigers.
SU spokesperson Pete Moore confirmed to The Daily Orange that Freeman will be available, ending an injury-plagued stretch where he missed important contests against Houston, Kansas, Iowa State and Tennessee.
Freeman led the Orange with 17.8 points per game over their first four games. He also excelled defensively, ranking in EvanMiya’s 98th percentile of individual defenders across Division I.
Syracuse has particularly had trouble offensively without its best scorer. Nobody else on SU is within six points of Freeman’s scoring average, as guard J.J. Starling ranks second with 11.3 points per contest.
Freeman’s return comes at a crucial time for third year head coach Adrian Autry, who is arguably coaching for his job this season. Autry has said repeatedly that one player cannot account for the Orange’s consistency issues this year. However, with SU going 5-4 in Freeman’s absence, it’s clear his presence is vital for the home stretch.
