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Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins has a word with Dajuan Coleman on the bench during the Orange's game against Central Connecticut State.

(Photo by Dennis Nett / The Post-Standard)

Syracuse University freshman Dajuan Coleman will undergo a surgical procedure on his left knee Tuesday, according to a release from the Syracuse University athletic communications department.

Coleman, a 6-foot-9 center, will miss the next four weeks. Syracuse is currently 18-2 overall and leads the Big East with a 6-1 conference record.

Coleman has started all 20 of Syracuse's games this season. He is averaging 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Coleman initially hurt the knee in practice prior to Syracuse's game at Villanova on Saturday. He started, but played just seven minutes in the Orange's 75-71 overtime loss to the Wildcats.

With Coleman out, Syracuse is down to just seven scholarship players. Syracuse has played the last four games without senior forward James Southerland, who was declared ineligible prior to Syracuse's game against Villanova on Jan. 12. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has said he's hopeful that Southerland's situation can be resolved.

Jerami Grant, a 6-8 freshman forward, could move into Syracuse's starting lineup with sophomore Rakeem Christmas moving from forward to center. Another option would be to start 6-11 junior center Baye Moussa Keita.

Syracuse's next game is on Saturday at Pittsburgh.