Dome lights ironically went out during Syracuse-Cal. SU used it as a spark.
In Syracuse's win over Cal Wednesday, the JMA Wireless Dome experienced a power outage that was the perfect metaphor for SU’s current state. Matthew Crisafulli | Staff Photographer
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The lights went out on Syracuse’s men’s basketball program. Figuratively, the statement rang true for weeks — maybe even years, depending on who you ask. Wednesday night, the statement took a literal turn.
The JMA Wireless Dome lights and broadcast screens first went out early in the second half. They returned to form less than a minute later. After the contest crept into overtime, the power went out again. The rest of the first overtime and the entirety of the second frame were played with the use of auxiliary power.
How’s that for a metaphor?
On the same day Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack announced his retirement, Wednesday’s events became a symbol for the state of the Orange. In front of a sparse crowd, Syracuse (14-11, 5-7 Atlantic Coast) defeated Cal (17-8, 5-7 ACC) 107-100 in a double-overtime game spanning almost three hours.
SU and Adrian Autry’s tenure is hanging on by a thread. But their best win in ACC play could be the energizer the Orange desperately need with just six regular-season games to play.
“I hope it flips the switch,” Autry joked postgame.
The power went out early in the second half and again in overtime of Syracuse’s matchup with Cal Wednesday, but SU used it as a spark to break its two-game skid. Matthew Crisafulli | Staff Photographer
Between Autry and Cal head coach Mark Madsen, the two have seen plenty of basketball. Autry played professionally overseas for over a decade after a four-year career at Syracuse. He’s been coaching since 2006. Madsen starred for Stanford before a nine-year NBA career and has now coached for 17 years. Both struggled to recall many times they’d been in Wednesday night’s scenario.
Autry said there was a time at the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C., when the power went out. Madsen couldn’t think of any, instead referring to his nights growing up in California, turning on the lights at an outdoor park.
When the power went out in the second overtime, the lights on the second deck were off. The scoreboards surrounding the stadium went out, too, but the lights directly above the court and the shot clocks remained on.
Madsen said the referees first came over to him to ask if he “wanted to finish up the game.” He was unsure of what the exact rules were for resuming a game at that stage, and certainly didn’t want to leave it in the balance at that stage.
The referees then approached Autry to ask the same question. Autry said at one point the referees told the coaching staffs to take their guys back to the locker room. Though both coaches agreed to resume the game, administrators and stadium officials scrambled.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to wait and not mess up the rhythm of the game,” Autry said.
With the scoreboards out, fans around the stadium had to check their phones to stay up to date. On the court, the unit set up a scoreboard more regularly seen in youth gymnasiums than Power Four college games. Still, the Orange made it work.
Your final from the JMA Wireless Dome,on generator power due to a citywide outage. Scoreboard reminiscent of a middle school gym. Syracuse 107 Guest 100. pic.twitter.com/Gyi31osYO2
— Jeff Rubin (@jhrubin) February 12, 2026
As the game’s resumption came into question at its peak, Autry alerted his squad to stay composed, guard Nate Kingz said. The coaching staff knew the power outage wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon, and Syracuse would have to adapt to the circumstances to survive.
There were 28 lead changes. The Orange missed 17 free throws and went 12-for-21 from the charity stripe across the two overtime periods. Yet they found a way.
William Kyle III, who finished with a staggering 16 rebounds, said he felt the power outage didn’t affect SU’s plans. Kingz didn’t pay attention to the mishap because he was so focused on the game. As he soared to a team-high 27 points, Kingz felt he was right where he belonged as the normal pageantry of the stadium shut down.
“I’m gonna go and play anywhere, anytime,” Kingz said. “That’s just the person I am, and that’s the best for me. That’s my whole life.”
Wednesday was far from a normal day in Syracuse sports. As Wildhack’s intended retirement loomed large, questions over the future of SU’s men’s basketball only grow as the university will see a change at both chancellor and athletic director in the immediate future.
Even as turmoil parades through the program, Autry joked postgame this was just “another day in the ACC.” It’s quite ironic. The squad that has largely struggled since joining the ACC in 2013 continues to hit new lows: whether in national status, results or attendance.
And as the power went out, a generator brought it back to life for a short time. Just as Syracuse’s win over Cal did amid another dark year.
