Donnie Freeman injures foot

[IthacaMatt]

Freeman is already a better rebounder than Swider though.

That's fine. Do you think Freeman is a "good" rebounder? I would say, "not yet".

 

[phil77]

That's fine. Do you think Freeman is a "good" rebounder? I would say, "not yet".

7.9 rebounds per game is top 70ish in the nation in rebounds per game of all players.
7.9 rebounds per game is tied for top 5 of all freshmen in the nation in rebounds per game

 

[Irt4su]

The optics of losing him are far worse than the concerns he will not be the next DC...
Losing him would be a truer rock bottom than the team results of this season

 

[IthacaMatt]

7.9 rebounds per game is top 70ish in the nation in rebounds per game of all players.
7.9 rebounds per game is tied for top 5 of all freshmen in the nation in rebounds per game

Again, Phil, I assume you watched the games. Is he a good rebounder right now? Yes or no. Don't give me stats. Give me your opinion.

 

[phil77]

Again, Phil, I assume you watched the games. Is he a good rebounder right now? Yes or no. Don't give me stats. Give me your opinion.

Stats are what matter not your eye test, does he get rebounds or not. Stats say he is a good rebounder for a freshman top 5 in the NATION.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Maybe you forget, but DC had perimeter skills. He even used to dribble to start a fast break or help break the press. Owens used to do that, too. Sure, Boeheim didn't want him hoisting threes, because he was the biggest badass in basketball, and you want your enforcer where the action is, underneath, where guys are mixing it up and enforcing their will on the other team. Just like football, basketball games are won in the trenches, at the highest level. If you want to win championships, you have to out-tough the other team.

DC had perimeter skills because he was highly skilled, but his game was being bruiser.

That's not Freeman.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Again, Phil, I assume you watched the games. Is he a good rebounder right now? Yes or no. Don't give me stats. Give me your opinion.

Stats are what matter not your eye test, does he get rebounds or not. Stats say he is a good rebounder for a freshman top 5 in the NATION.

Yeah, he's a very good rebounder.

And this was the worst rebounding he'll be. It's only getting better if he plays another college season.

 

[IthacaMatt]

DC had perimeter skills because he was highly skilled, but his game was being bruiser.

That's not Freeman.

Yes, I agree. Coleman was a 4/5. Billy Owens was a 3/4.
Freeman is not strong enough at the 4, or skilled enough at the 3. Not yet.
But he needs to work on BOTH aspects of his game (inside and outside) or he won't be a pro. He is not an explosivelathlete. He is a tall and skilled basketball player for his size. But he's not good enough at the fundamentals of the game yet to have any chance right now as a pro.

 

[tbonezone]

i imagine derrick coleman brought the ball across midcourt more times than buddy boeheim. the big guy had a handle . and coast to coast was always in play.

 

[malpearl31]

That's fine. Do you think Freeman is a "good" rebounder? I would say, "not yet".

Donnie was really good as a defensive rebounder in his limited time on the court this season. His defensive rebounding percentage (as calculated by KenPom) is the highest an SU player has had going back almost 25 years. Here’s the list of the Top 5 defensive rebounders in SU since 2002:

#1 - 31.4% rate - Donnie Freeman (2025)
#2 (tie) - 23.8% rate - Eddie Lampkin (2025) and Jesse Edwards (2023)
#4 - 21.5% rate - Bourama Sidibe (2020)
#5 - 21.3% rate - Paul Harris (2007)

 

[tbonezone]

say want you want about paul harris. at 6 foot 5 inches he led in Syracuse in rebounds 3 years.it ain't all about size. he was a hungry rebound beast.

 

[elimunelson]

Let me ask it the other way:

Why would he stay if money is available elsewhere? This team is unlikely to suddenly get to the top of the rankings. Wouldn’t he be better off at an SEC school that needs his skill set?

I just don’t see the attachment to this right now under the current duress

 

[Scooch]

Let me ask it the other way:

Why would he stay if money is available elsewhere? This team is unlikely to suddenly get to the top of the rankings. Wouldn’t he be better off at an SEC school that needs his skill set?

I just don’t see the attachment to this right now under the current duress

Maybe he likes the community, likes the staff, and he'll take comparable money to stay?

I mean, not everyone is Pops Edwards, pimping out his son to the highest bidder.

 

[phil77]

Maybe he likes the community, likes the staff, and he'll take comparable money to stay?

I mean, not everyone is Pops Edwards, pimping out his son to the highest bidder.

I think the biggest thing he will have to decide will not be about money I do think an SEC can pay more but I don't think that will be the deciding factor.

Does he believe in the coaching staff
Does he believe he will get the opportunities here to grow as a player to be drafted
Will he be featured here in the offense or will it be the JJ show
Does he believe the coaching staff will enhance and build upon his current skill set
Will they play an NBA system
Will they play meaningful games in March to be seen by NBA scouts on the big stage

etc that stuff will matter more to a talent like Freeman and his camp than just who can cut him the biggest check IMO. He will get over a million on the market easy, that is a for sure and with the increase in NIL and all the openings in the SEC I wouldn't be shocked if it is up near 2 million maybe over.

 

[tbonezone]

i mean i hope with all my heart he stays. i also have hoped with all my heart my lotto numbers hit. odds are likely the same for both.

 

[Orangefizz]

Donnie was incredibly soft and got pushed around on both sides of the floor. And not at all explosive. Lots of potential. Unclear if it will be realized

It will be realized once he’s at a SEC school that teaches defense and has an offensive system. Put him at a school like Auburn or Alabama and we’ll see a superstar and lottery pick next year.

 

[jdubs30]

It will be realized once he’s at a SEC school that teaches defense and has an offensive system. Put him at a school like Auburn or Alabama and we’ll see a superstar and lottery pick next year.

The people who don’t think Donnie will get a massive NIL deal to go to a top 25 school will be very very surprised ….. we really did blow it with him

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

The more I look at the number of players out of eligibility and the influx of money in hoops I think Freeman will easily get more than a million on the open market.

 

[phil77]

The more I look at the number of players out of eligibility and the influx of money in hoops I think Freeman will easily get more than a million on the open market.

He is easily getting over a million if he wants.

 

[baggerbob]

When the Freeman bidding war gets into "Juan Soto" territory, how much will SU offer?

The Mets were foolish, that guys going to end up getting paid 50 million a year when he is at the age where he is an average or worse player.

 

[MikeSU02]

Donnie Freeman should be coveted as a recruit for year two for us higher than any of the four guys we got coming in.

Donnie was starting to put up real numbers and was starting to cook guys one on one that he realized he had a mismatch with.

He’s not perfect, but we should all want him prioritized as a guy to hold onto.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Donnie Freeman should be coveted as a recruit for year two for us higher than any of the four guys we got coming in.

Donnie was starting to put up real numbers and was starting to cook guys one on one that he realized he had a mismatch with.

He’s not perfect, but we should all want him prioritized as a guy to hold onto.

If he goes somewhere else to play college ball, we have to make it for a truly absurd amount of money. Like it's got to be over three million.

 

[50YRsofCuse]

He is easily getting over a million if he wants.

If it is money that Donnie is looking for, I’m sure he can find it. However, he really needs the intangibles that may be missing from Syracuse that is needed to get the professional level.

Those intangibles include but not all encompassing:
1) An Improved health recovery program to completely heal his problematic condition,

2) Follow a strength and conditioning program designed to build his stamina to a high ly requisite and maintainable state,

3) An overall basketball team and strategy where his offensive and defensive skills can further develop to the point he is an integral part (does not have to the focus) of the teams success,

4) Demonstrate the ability to stay healthy and flourish as a leading contributor in a strong team environment and

5) be a major factor in the overall success of a team’s season.

Not asking for much …….

 

[Dinkyspond]

I really hate how this Verizon pop-up add comes up multiple times while you're reading the same page. Three or four times per page. Very annoying.

you can pay $30 per year and get no pop-ups. It's worth every cent. Just go to the hamburger menu in the top left of the page and click "Donate" and just follow the instructions.

 

[Orangefizz]

The optics of losing him are far worse than the concerns he will not be the next DC...
Losing him would be a truer rock bottom than the team results of this season

Get ready for it because I think he’s gone