One side note that came out of Jim Boeheim’s postgame press conference on Saturday was that center DaJuan Coleman is on the verge of returning to game action.

Coleman underwent knee surgery on Jan. 29. The freshman was averaging five points and 4.4 rebounds per game before the surgery. He hasn’t played in a game since the Orange’s loss at Villanova back on Jan. 26.

Boeheim said Saturday that Coleman’s been practicing the last couple days and is cleared to play.

“He’s moving on it pretty good. I think he could play now,” Boeheim said. “I wanted to give him a couple days of practice and just see how he felt.”

Coleman’s return could be big for Syracuse, since right now the Orange is pretty thin at center. Rakeem Christmas and Baye Moussa Keita combined for only two points against Georgetown, though Christmas did grab eight rebounds.

Coleman could play on Monday when Syracuse travels to play at Marquette.

“I really wanted to give him a week or so but he could play Monday,” Boeheim said. “We’ll see how he feels.”