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Why Kiyan Anthony's benching could be the 'final straw' for Adrian Autry at Syracuse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Syracuse coach Adrian Autry insists there was no hidden meaning behind his decision to bench freshman guard Kiyan Anthony for the entire game Saturday, but the move has only intensified criticism surrounding a program already trending in the wrong direction.
The Orange fell 72-59 at No. 18 Virginia, marking their sixth loss in seven games and deepening fan frustration during Autry’s second season on the sideline. Kiyan Anthony, who entered the game healthy and available, did not play a minute for the first time this season.
“It’s no narratives about any of this stuff,” Autry said. “I just made the decision. That was just my decision that I made today.”
The decision drew immediate attention given Kiyan’s last name. His father, Carmelo Anthony, is a Syracuse legend and one of the most influential figures in program history. Yet Carmelo publicly supported both his son and the coaching staff, downplaying controversy in a comment on ESPN’s Instagram page.
“He’ll be good!” Anthony wrote. “They say it’s part of the journey. A little adversity don’t hurt.”
Kiyan Anthony, who is averaging 8.9 points per game, has experienced an uneven freshman season marked by flashes of scoring ability and stretches of inconsistency.
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Autry said the benching was strictly matchup-related against an experienced Virginia squad and not tied to discipline or injury.
As losses pile up and patience thins within the Syracuse fan base, every decision is magnified. It's hard to ignore and Whether this episode becomes a tipping point for Autry’s tenure remains unclear. But the pressure surrounding the program continues to mount.
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