Dennis Clifford celebrated with his Boston College teammates after they ended Syracuse’s magical 25-0 start, but he was conflicted.

The 7-foot-1 center felt elated to beat the then-No. 1 team in the country on its home court, but was also disappointed to not be a part of the historic win because of his injured left knee.

“Obviously I was happy that we won. It was incredible,” Clifford said. “But when you feel like you could make a team better and contribute, it’s hard.”

A healthy Clifford and BC (8-8, 0-4 Atlantic Coast) return to Syracuse (13-5, 4-1) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the team’s first matchup since that upset. After missing all but two games last season and playing hurt for his sophomore season, Clifford has returned to the Boston College lineup this season. He’s making an immediate difference in the Eagles frontcourt.

Against SU, he’ll likely be tasked with guarding the Orange big man, Rakeem Christmas, who was named ACC Player of the Week on Monday.

Clifford’s 5.9 rebounds per game have filled a much-needed void for BC, particularly in light of the transfer of last season’s leading rebounder, Ryan Anderson, to Arizona. Clifford’s left knee problems during the 2014 campaign were the first of his career, but he believes he’s now better than before his injury.

Clifford started 25 games his freshman season, averaging 9.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. He was optimistic and excited at the prospect of embracing an increased role as a sophomore.

But during one practice early the next fall, Clifford went up for a dunk and he felt his knee pop. That dunk attempt marked the beginning of knee troubles that plagued him as he played hurt throughout that sophomore season.

Clifford’s minutes declined from 26.9 during his freshman campaign to 14.6 in his second season with the Eagles. The injury became so bad that he would sit out entire practices just to be healthy enough to play when games rolled around.

There was a lingering pain Clifford experienced each time he jumped for a rebound or ran up and down the court.

“I was still on the court and playing, but I couldn’t do anything that I wanted to do,” Clifford said. “I was out there and going through the motions… They had me out there to just be a big body because that’s what we needed at the time. I wasn’t playing basketball.”

Clifford underwent surgery following that 2012–13 season and was expected to return to the Eagles’ lineup for January and ACC play. After two games experiencing pain in early January against Virginia Tech and Clemson, he decided to halt his return.

He began exercising with ankle weights, such as the leg raises he would do in the BC training room. But to ensure that he got to full strength, Clifford visited nearby orthopedic rehab specialist Hank DeGroat, who helped reevaluate his rehab.

Clifford said he before he could make strides on the court, DeGroat had him start his rehabilitation in the pool.

“He increased my flexibility and strength by making me do things like defensive slides, jumping and running,” Clifford said.

This past summer, Clifford returned to his high school, Milton Academy (Massachusetts) to play with other alumni. His former coach, Lamar Reddicks, knew things were going to turn around for his former star center after watching the first few possessions of the pick-up game.

“He looked unbelievable just moving up and down,” Reddicks said. “I texted him later that night and said, ‘That’s the best I’ve seen you move in a long time.’

It might have been even been better than he looked before the injury.”

This season, Clifford feels he is stronger and more explosive than ever.

He does a better job controlling and holding his own in the paint, and he’s pain-free when he competes with fellow big men for rebounds.

“This was a guy who struggled to get up stairs,’’ BC head coach Jim Christian said during ACC media day on Oct. 29. “Now he’s 100 percent and he’s going to be a difference-maker. It’s like getting a new recruit who’s established and played and effective.’’

Published on January 20, 2015 at 12:14 am

Contact Liam: lpsull01@syr.edu