On Friday night, Syracuse University alumni and fans visited Park Bar in Atlanta to enjoy drinks, music and basketball. Derrick Coleman, arguably one of SU’s greatest basketball players, was in attendance — taking photos with bar-goers and conversing with former players. Amid groups of fans and cheers, Coleman was able to step away and speak about this year’s team’s advance to the Final Four and the weekend’s festivities.

The Daily Orange: What are your thoughts on Syracuse making it to the Final Four?

Derrick Coleman: “You know what? For me, Syracuse making it to the Final Four is like peaks and valleys. You know, we started off playing well early on in the beginning of the season, and as we got into the Big East conference, you know what? We lost two or three games, four games in a row and then you start to question yourself: Do you belong as being one of the top teams in the country? But I thought, during the Big East tournament, we really pulled it all together, we started playing well as a team. I mean our defense was very active, we were aggressive with the basketball on the offensive end of the court, and then, you know what? Once we got to the NCAA Tournament, I just thought it just carried over and that’s why we’re here today down here in Atlanta, Ga., for the Final Four.”

The D.O.: Do you have any highlights of this weekend so far?

D.C.: “I mean, look, I’m just hanging out with my people [cheers]. What you don’t understand is you know what? This is always the highlight of my life, hanging out with you guys because when I’m in school, I didn’t have a chance to do this, so that’s why you see me back in Syracuse as much as you do, at all the games and whatever because I just want to show everybody around to Syracuse fans I appreciated them when I was in school, so that’s why I come and do what I do.”

The D.O.: Do you think Syracuse can win it all?

D.C.: “Yes, oh, without question.”

The D.O.: Do you have anything else you want to say about this weekend?

D.C.: “You know what? Hey guys, look, just enjoy the moment, that’s it. We gotta just take it all in and have fun and enjoy each other, connect with people that you ain’t seen in a while. But the main thing is, we’re going to go root our guys on. We can bring home a national championship.”

Published on April 6, 2013 at 10:10 am

Contact Maddy: mjberner@syr.edu