Syracuse Faces Uncertainty as Donnie Freeman Sits Out Fourth Consecutive Game—What This Means for the Team’s Future

In a tough blow for Syracuse Orange, star forward Donnie Freeman will sit out the upcoming clash against Tennessee due to a nagging lower-body injury, as revealed by the team on Monday. This setback follows his absence throughout the troublesome Players’ Era Festival in Las Vegas—where the Orange struggled mightily, dropping all three contests. Before hitting that rough patch, Freeman was lighting it up against mid-major opponents, tipping the scales with nearly 18 points, over five boards, and some nifty assists per game—shooting a crisp 50% from the field. But, alas, injuries have a way of spoiling promising seasons, especially for Freeman, who’s still shaking off the ghosts of last season’s foot woes. Freshman Sadiq White has stepped up admirably in his stead, while Tyler Betsey eyes a bigger role, though facing a gritty Tennessee squad—ranked 12th in KenPom—without your premier inside presence is a tall order, indeed. With tip-off set at 7 p.m. inside the JMA Wireless Dome and a break before the next battle against Saint Joseph’s, Syracuse hopes to regroup and ramp up while giving Freeman some much-needed time to mend. LEARN MORE

Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (lower body) will not play against Tennessee on Tuesday, a SU spokesperson revealed on Monday. Freeman missed all three games during the Players’ Era Festival in Las Vegas, where Syracuse went 0-3.

In the Orange’s four games against mid-major foes before the Vegas trip, Freeman was averaging 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He was shooting 50% from the field and 27% from three.

This injury is a major setback in what was projected to be a breakout season for the sophomore, who missed much of conference play last season with a different foot injury.

Freeman was spotted with a boot on his right foot in a since-deleted Instagram video posted by Syracuse Men’s Basketball. During Syracuse’s trip to Las Vegas, head coach Adrian Autry twice stated that he didn’t expect to be without Freeman for a long time.

In his absence, freshman Sadiq White got his first three collegiate starts, averaging nine points and three rebounds in 19.6 minutes per contest against Houston, Kansas, and Iowa State.

This also provides an opportunity for Syracuse Tyler Betsey – who is Syracuse’s third leading scorer right now – to play a bigger role. However, against a Tennessee team that ranks 12th in KenPom and is physical on the glass, not having your best interior player will hurt.

Tip-off between the Orange and Volunteers is at 7 p.m. inside the JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse’s next game after Tuesday is next Thursday at home against Saint Joseph’s, giving Freeman an extra week to heal up.