Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim watches play during practice the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Michigan, Friday, April 5, 2013, in Atlanta. Syracuse plays Michigan in a semifinal game on Saturday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)
ATLANTA – James Southerland spent most of his first season at Syracuse on the bench and part of his last season with the Orange on the couch.
His reward for all that frustration — a trip to the Final Four.
Left stewing on the sideline as a freshman, then suspended for six games as a senior for an academic issue, Southerland is making the most out of his final weeks on Jim Boeheim's team.
Heading into Saturday's semifinal against Michigan, Southerland has established himself as possibly Syracuse's most dangerous player on offense — the side of the court that's been receiving less attention during his team's run to Atlanta. He's made 50 3-pointers since the comeback from suspension, when he was forced to watch road games from the couch in his apartment.
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