Syracuse Looks to Regroup at Home vs. Cal After Tough Road Losses
After back-to-back road losses to top-15 opponents in North Carolina and Virginia, Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday night for a matchup that, on paper, looks more balanced. The Orange (13-11, 4-7 ACC) host California (17-7, 5-6 ACC) in a game where both teams are trying to claw their way up from the bottom half of the ACC standings. According to KenPom, these two squads are neck-and-neck at No. 70 and No. 71, respectively - a sign that this one could go either way.
Ahead of the matchup, both head coaches - Adrian Autry for Syracuse and Mark Madsen for Cal - spoke on the ACC Coaches Zoom Call, offering a closer look at their teams, the challenges ahead, and a few storylines that are hard to ignore.
Kiyan Anthony’s Bench Role: Autry Stands Firm
Let’s get the obvious out of the way - yes, Kiyan Anthony was benched in the Orange’s loss to North Carolina, and no, it wasn’t due to injury. Autry made it clear again on Monday: it was a coaching decision, plain and simple.
“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 didn’t waver when asked if he felt the need to explain the decision to Kiyan or his family. “I made a coach’s decision. That’s that,” he said, cutting off further speculation.
As for what Kiyan needs to do to earn more minutes? Autry shifted the focus to the team as a whole.
“Everybody has to keep improving,” he said. “We have to keep improving. I think you know we all have to improve as a team, collectively.”
That team-wide improvement is especially crucial on the offensive end. Autry noted that while the defense showed flashes of progress against Virginia, the offense still needs to shoot the ball better and limit turnovers - two areas that have held Syracuse back in tight games.
Autry Responds to Legette-Jack’s Support
Following Syracuse women’s basketball’s loss to No. 9 Louisville, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack took a moment to defend Autry amid growing criticism from fans, saying, “Negativity never wins the war.”
Autry appreciated the sentiment, but he also understands the frustration.
“Negativity, frustration - I understand that this is… I played here,” said Autry, who suited up for the Orange from 1990 to 1994. “I understand that.
I understand the frustration. I understand the negativity, or I call it frustration, and they have a right to be frustrated.”
With Syracuse on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year - the program’s longest drought since 1967-72 - it’s easy to see why tensions are high. But Autry isn’t letting the noise distract him.
“For me, it’s just really pouring into my team,” he said. “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 Returns to the Dome - This Time in Gold and Blue
One of the more intriguing storylines heading into Wednesday’s game is the return of Chris Bell. After three seasons in Orange, Bell transferred to Cal for his senior year and has found new life with the Golden Bears.
“He’s really thrived,” said Madsen. “He’s been able to really help us in some huge wins.”
Bell is averaging 13.0 points per game and shooting 35.9% from deep on nearly five attempts per contest - steady production from a player who battled a brutal shooting slump last season at Syracuse. For comparison, he finished last year at 35.3% from three on four attempts per game, down from his sophomore mark of 42.0% on 6.3 attempts.
“Chris is a little bit more mature,” Autry said. “Chris is having a really solid season for Cal.”
Bell’s return adds another layer to a game that already carries plenty of meaning for both teams.
Cal’s Momentum and Strengths
After a 1-4 start in ACC play, Cal has turned things around, winning four of its last six to climb back into the mix. The Golden Bears are just one game below .500 in conference play and have picked up some impressive wins along the way - including victories over UCLA, North Carolina, Stanford, and Miami. They’re 4-5 in Quad 1 games, and with Syracuse sitting at No. 68 in the NET rankings, Wednesday presents another Quad 1 opportunity.
Madsen described his team’s offensive style as “aesthetically pleasing” and “free flowing.” Translation: expect pace, threes, and a lot of ball movement. Cal loves to push the tempo, attack the rim, and stretch the floor with capable shooters.
That last part is key. Cal ranks 26th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.6%. Bell, Dai Dai Ames, Justin Pippen, and John Camden have all hit at least 40 threes this season while shooting 35% or better from beyond the arc.
Autry knows defending the perimeter will be critical.
“We’re gonna have to be able to defend that 3-point line,” he said, adding that limiting Cal’s trips to the free throw line will also be vital. The Bears shoot 77.8% from the stripe - 16th-best in the country.
Ames and Pippen, in particular, are threats off the dribble, and Autry pointed out that Cal does a good job finding mid-range looks when the three isn’t there.
What’s at Stake
According to KenPom’s projections, Syracuse is expected to finish the regular season 16-15, with wins projected only against Cal and Pittsburgh. That doesn’t scream tournament résumé, but it does mean there’s still time to build momentum - and it starts Wednesday.
For a team trying to find its footing, a home game against a similarly ranked opponent offers a chance to reset. For a player like Kiyan Anthony, it’s an opportunity to bounce back. And for Chris Bell, it’s a chance to show how far he’s come - in the same building where it all started.
Tip-off can’t come soon enough.