DaJuan Coleman posted up his defender on the left block, turned to the basket to seal his man as he caught a lob from Tyler Ennis and dunked it through with two hands.

Coleman came alive for Syracuse in the second half, posting 11 points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes during the stanza. The sophomore center finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for SU’s only double-double of the preseason while junior forward Rakeem Christmas added 10 points and eight rebounds.

“Big guys offensively take sometimes three years, sometimes the fourth year before they really get to where you’d like to see them,” Boeheim said.

Boeheim said both Coleman and Christmas impressed him “in spurts,” but it was Coleman in the second half who was dominant.

He logged six points, a block and an assist in a three-minute span early in the frame.

And with 51 seconds left in regulation, he grabbed consecutive offensive boards before converting a second put-back attempt.

“DaJuan was much better rebounding the ball tonight,” Boeheim said. “I thought he was much more physical going up to get it. I thought that was good.

“That part of it was very good.”

Coleman and Boeheim agreed he’s still adjusting to the college game after one year manning the heart of the 2-3 zone. He has shed 15 pounds since the end of last season and is more comfortable with the ball in his hands.

“I think I’m definitely a lot looser,” Coleman said. “I’m a lot lighter on my feet, just taking my time with my shots.”

Published on November 6, 2013 at 3:19 am

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1