Syracuse University head coach Adrian Autry gave an interesting answer when asked about the impending return of big man Donnie Freeman, who has missed the last eight games with a right foot injury.

Here's what we know

Freeman hasn't played since before Thanksgiving, missing games against Houston, Kansas, Iowa State, Tennessee, St. Joseph's, Hofstra, Mercyhurst and Northeastern.

He's been seen warming up before games recently, but has not played. Reports circulated on Saturday that he is going to be back for the Dec. 31 game against Clemson, which is the beginning of ACC play for the Orange.

What Autry had to say about that timeline

Autry said the timeline was not up to him, though it would make sense if everyone involved wanted Freeman back for ACC play. It seems fairly self-explanatory that that was a target date all along, even if Autry didn't say that.

"That wasn't me. That was the doctors and the medical people. They come up with that timeline, so I was informed of that as well."

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What Freeman will bring to the team

He's the leading scorer through his four games played, averaging nearly 18 ppg. He's also averaging more than five rebounds and is shooting 78 percent from the foul line. For a Syracuse team that is one of the worst in the nation at the charity stripe, that's a big deal.

Here's what else Autry had to say about what his return will mean:

Well, I think you get another guy that can obviously space the floor — a guy that can step out, a guy that can rebound, a versatile defender, a guy that kind of score inside. He’s a pretty good free-throw shooter too.

So again, a guy that can capitalize and space floor, and I think it’s just going to open a lot of things up for the rest of the guys. You know, the Will Kyle's, the Nate George's and the JJ (Starling), so he's a big part of what we do. I think his spacing will be important for us. He's a guy, defensively, that gives us some versatility to change lineups, play different lineups with him, so we'll be excited to get him back when he comes back." 

Up next for the Orange

The Orange will close out non-conference play on Monday against Stonehill at 7 p.m. ET. Our own Tom Goslowski will be there. Follow him on social media @TomGozz.

Syracuse is 8-4. Stonehill is 3-9 and 0-7 on the road. Despite the record, they have played several close games, suffering just an eight-point loss against DePaul and a two-point loss against Fairfield. They just lost to New Hampshire by one point on Wednesday.

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