Syracuse Basketball Struggles Amid Coaching Questions

Carmelo Anthony weighs in after son Kiyan benched in latest loss

Feb. 8, 2026 at 11:31am

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The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team has hit a rough patch, losing several key games and raising concerns about the direction of the program under head coach Adrian Autry. The team's struggles have drawn attention from former Orange star Carmelo Anthony, who commented on his son Kiyan being benched in the latest defeat.

Why it matters

Syracuse basketball is a storied program with a passionate fan base, and the team's recent slide has sparked intense scrutiny and debate about the coaching staff's ability to turn things around. Carmelo Anthony's involvement as a parent of a current player adds an additional layer of intrigue to the situation.

The details

After a tough loss to Virginia, the Syracuse Orange have fallen to 12-10 on the season, prompting questions about the team's direction under first-year head coach Adrian Autry. Autry benched Kiyan Anthony, Carmelo's son, during the Virginia game, a move that drew a response from the NBA legend.

  • The Syracuse Orange lost to Virginia on February 4, 2026.
  • Kiyan Anthony was benched during the Virginia game on February 4, 2026.

The players

Adrian Autry

The head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team.

Carmelo Anthony

A former Syracuse Orange basketball star and NBA legend, who is the father of current Syracuse player Kiyan Anthony.

Kiyan Anthony

A player on the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team and the son of Carmelo Anthony.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not going to sit here and act like I don't know what's going on. I see it, I hear it, I know what's happening.”

— Carmelo Anthony

What’s next

The Syracuse Orange will look to bounce back in their next game against Duke on February 11, 2026.

The takeaway

The struggles of the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team have raised concerns about the program's direction, with Carmelo Anthony's involvement as a parent adding an extra layer of intrigue to the situation. The team will need to find a way to turn things around quickly to appease the passionate fan base.