Freeman deals with diabetes

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Georgetown guard Austin Freeman has changed his diet and now regularly checks his blood sugar since he’s been diagnosed with diabetes.

He’s also become an inspiration.

Fans, friends and others with the disease have reached out via letters, e-mail or a kind word to support Freeman and let him know how much they’re rooting for him.

“Just knowing that I have people out there that support me and care, it just keeps me going,” Freeman said.

Freeman has kept the Hoyas going and has them playing some of their best basketball of the season as they enter the NCAA tournament. They won three games in the Big East tournament before falling to West Virginia 60-58 in the title game.

The hot streak helped catapult the Hoyas (23-10) into the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Regional. They play Mid-American Conference tournament champion Ohio (21-14), a 14 seed in the tourney for the first time since 2005.

Asked what he knew about the Bobcats, center Greg Monroe said, “They won a conference championship. They’re here.”

The Hoyas expect Ohio’s ride into March to end today, and Freeman could play a big role. He was thought to have a stomach virus when he missed a game March 1 against West Virginia. He did not start and his minutes were limited in the previous game.

It turned out to be much more serious.

Freeman, a junior guard, checks his blood sugar before, during and after every practice. As a precaution, a doctor from the university’s hospital is attending Freeman’s practices and games for the rest of the season.

It’s not easy or convenient, but he has no choice.

“It’s a little change, but I’ve gotten used to it,” Freeman said. “I have to, if I want to keep playing.”

Once he returned to the lineup, Freeman played like there was nothing wrong with him. He was a second-team All Big East selection and led the Hoyas with 16.7 points — 19.5 in conference games. He averaged 15.2 points and is shooting 46.8 percent from the floor.