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Following road losses to No. 11 North Carolina and No. 15 Virginia, Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome Wednesday to host California. The Orange and Golden Bears rank No. 70 and No. 71, respectively, by KenPom and both place in the bottom half of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s standings.

Ahead of the matchup, SU head coach Adrian Autry and Cal head coach Mark Madsen spoke to reporters on Monday as part of the ACC Coaches Call over Zoom.

Here are some takeaways from Autry and Madsen before Syracuse (13-11, 4-7 ACC) faces California (17-7, 5-6 ACC):

Autry reiterates Kiyan Anthony’s benching was his decision

On a day when North Carolina beat Duke in an instant classic, arguably the biggest storyline in college basketball was that Kiyan Anthony was benched for the first time in his collegiate career. Postgame, Autry said there were no injury concerns and that it was his decision.

On Monday, Autry again emphasized it was a game decision and nothing more.

“He’s a young, young player, obviously, with a lot of attention surrounding him,” Autry said. “So just being able to keep him abreast of what’s going on, expectations in the loop and just kind of moving on and getting ready for this next game.”

Autry added he hasn’t spoken with Carmelo Anthony in the last week. Carmelo notably commented “SMFH” — shorthand for “shaking my f—ing head” — on a Syracuse men’s basketball post during its loss against UNC.

When asked if he did anything to make sure Kiyan knew his benching wasn’t a punishment, Autry said, “I made a coach’s decision. That’s that. That’s all I’m going to say from here on out about that.”

Regarding what Kiyan needs to do to play more regularly, Autry defaulted to focusing on his whole team.

“Everybody has to keep improving,” Autry said. “We have to keep improving. I think you know we all have to improve as a team, collectively.”

The third-year head coach noted the Orange looked improved defensively against Virginia, but that offensively, they have to shoot better and take better care of the ball.

Autry reacts to Felisha Legette-Jack’s comments

After SU’s women’s basketball team lost to No. 9 Louisville on Sunday, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack defended Autry over harsh criticism, citing, “Negativity never wins the war.”

“I think her comments were saying that negativity has never really got anything better,” Autry said on Monday.

Even so, Autry understands where some of it comes from.

“Negativity, frustration, I understand that this is … I played here,” said Autry, who starred for SU from 1990-94. “I understand that. I understand the frustration. I understand the negativity, or I call it frustration, and they have a right to be frustrated.”

As it stands, the Orange are on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Its current four-year spell is the program’s longest March Madness drought since missing six straight from 1967-72.

“For me, it’s just really pouring into my team,” Autry added. “I’m just putting my head down and trying to pour into these players, pour into this team and try to get us going on the right track.”

Chris Bell’s return

After averaging 9.4 points per game across three seasons at Syracuse, Chris Bell transferred to Cal for his senior season. On Wednesday, he’ll play in the Dome for the first time as a visitor.

“Chris has meant the world to us, and I believe, and I hope, that this opportunity here at Cal has been a very positive one for Chris,” Madsen said. “He’s really thrived. He’s been able to really help us in some huge wins.”

Bell is averaging 13.0 points while making 35.9% of his 3-pointers on 4.9 attempts per game. Known for his shooting prowess, Bell underwent what he called the worst shooting slump of his career last season.

Still, he finished the campaign shooting 35.3% from deep on 4.0 attempts per game. For comparison, Bell averaged 6.3 attempts as a sophomore while making 42.0% of his triples.

“I think that sometimes, as a player, there’s nothing wrong with just a new surrounding,” Madsen said.

Following last season, Autry said Bell explored his options before doing what “was best for him.”

“Chris is a little bit more mature,” Autry said of Bell. “Chris is having a really solid season for Cal.”

Cal notes

After beginning ACC play 1-4, the Golden Bears have won four of their last six games, putting their conference record a game below .500. Though Cal and SU are ranked back-to-back in KenPom’s rankings, the Golden Bears have the 49th-best NCAA Tournament probability compared to the Orange placing 77th, per EvanMiya.

Cal is 4-5 in Quad 1 games, defeating UCLA, North Carolina, Stanford and Miami. With the Golden Bears facing Syracuse on the road, they have an opportunity for another Quad 1 win since the Orange are 68th in the NET Rankings.

Ahead of the matchup, Madsen highlighted his team loves to run, get out in transition and attack the rim. The fourth-year head coach described the Golden Bears’ offense as “aesthetically pleasing” and “free flowing” because they’re going to shoot 3-pointers, attack the rim and pass the ball.

Cal’s best offensive trait is 3-point shooting, as its 37.6% ranks 26th in the country. Bell, Dai Dai Ames, Justin Pippen and John Camden have all made at least 40 3-pointers while shooting 35.0% or better from beyond the arc.

Thus, Autry emphasized the Orange are “gonna have to be able to defend that 3-point line defensively.” SU’s head coach also highlighted his team will need to prevent Cal from getting to the charity stripe — the Golden Bears’ 77.8% free throw percentage ranks 16th nationally.

Autry also detailed that Ames and Pippen excel off the bounce and that Cal as a whole does a good job getting mid-range looks.

Random stat of the day

Syracuse is projected to finish the regular season 16-15 by KenPom’s projections. Cal and Pittsburgh are the only two teams the Orange are projected to defeat.

Published on February 9, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon