Syracuse basketball updates Donnie Freeman’s status, Bryce Zephir’s injury

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Orange basketball team was without its top dog against No. 13 Tennessee in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Orange went on to win 62-60 without Donnie Freeman, who missed a fourth straight game with a right leg injury. Freeman sustained the injury prior to the Players Era tournament and missed all three games in Las Vegas.

Freeman’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out long-term. Adrian Autry provided limited color on his status following the win over Tennessee.

“It’s probably day-to-day,” Autry said. “Again, I wish I had a timeline. The only thing that I can say… he’s progressing. I know that. He’s feeling better. So we expect to hopefully have him soon.”

Freeman’s injury is unrelated to last season’s fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot that ended his freshman season. He was in the JMA Wireless Dome for Syracuse’s win over Tennessee. Freeman was without a walking boot and displayed no visible signs of discomfort, standing and clapping from the team bench throughout the game.

Freeman averages 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.3 blocks per game. The 6-foot-9 forward was leading Syracuse in scoring through the first four games.

Syracuse will have nine days off in between games. The Orange return to the court against Saint Joseph’s on Dec. 11. Syracuse has five non-conference games remaining before beginning conference play on Dec. 31 against Clemson.

Syracuse was also without reserve Bryce Zephir. A 6-foot-4 guard, Zephir had appeared in all seven of Syracuse’s games prior to Tennessee. Zephir is expected to return for next Thursday’s game against St. Joe’s.

“He had a little light hamstring pull,” Autry said. “But he’ll be back. He worked hard. It was right up to game time before, you know, we ruled him out. We’ll have him back by next week.”

A strong, physical guard, Zephir provides value as a defensive player for Syracuse. He’s in his sixth year of college basketball. Originally from California, Zephir grew up a fan of the Syracuse program. He averages 1.3 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 7.6 minutes per game while shooting 57.1% from the floor.