Syracuse's Dajuan Coleman (center) positions himself for a rebound with Eastern Michigan's Da'Shonte Riley during Monday's game at the Carrier Dome.

(Photo by Dennis Nett / The Post-Standard)

Syracuse, NY -- The volume at one end of the Melo Center rises considerably where Syracuse University assistant coach Mike Hopkins prods the Orange big men.

Each day, SU’s caffeinated assistant augments his instruction with enthusiastic claps and verbal challenges. The big men shoot jump shots. They run. And run some more. They bang with burly walk-on Noel Jones, who slams them with a large pad as they attempt to score down low.

Hopkins, who for the past two seasons has worked with the Orange big men, is a kinetic force trying to wring physical progress from Rakeem Christmas, Dajuan Coleman and Baye Moussa Keita.

The three Orange big men combined for 26 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots in Syracuse’s 84-48 win over Eastern Michigan on Monday. SU coach Jim Boeheim wants more from his centers, particularly from Christmas and Coleman.

“I think with Rock and Dajuan, they just gotta keep working every day. They just gotta keep getting better,” Boeheim said. “They’re not there. We need them to keep getting better. Their progress is going to determine where we go this year.

“They have to really keep working. They work hard every day in practice. Mike has really been pushing them. I think they’re getting better. We need those two guys to get better.”

Coleman, the freshman of the trio, reached a career high in points with 14 on Monday. He

said that each game, each practice, offers him a chance to improve.

“Definitely want to build on it and continue to get better in practice,” Coleman said. “Take no days off. Every day is a building day for me to get better.”

-Donna

dditota@syracuse.com

315-470-2208