Syracuse faced a notable loss against Virginia, with a final score of 72-59 at the John Paul Jones Arena. A particularly striking aspect of the game was the absence of Kiyan Anthony, who did not step onto the court for the first time this season. Previously, Anthony had participated in each of the Orange’s 23 games, logging an average of 19.3 minutes.
Despite not showing any signs of injury—having completed pregame warmups and not being listed on the ACC’s availability report—Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry confirmed that Anthony’s lack of playing time was purely a coaching choice. “No injury concerns,” Autry stated, emphasizing that his decision was deliberate due to the physical nature of Virginia’s experienced team.
Heading into the game, Anthony had an average of 8.9 points per game. However, his offensive efficiency was recorded as the lowest among the rotation players, with shooting stats showing a 41% success rate from the field and a struggle beyond the arc, sitting at just 23% with 14 successful 3-point attempts out of 60.
Autry reiterated that the decision surrounding Anthony’s playing time was solely in his hands, dismissing any external narratives about the situation. “It was just my decision,” he remarked, highlighting the complexity of game-time choices.
Looking ahead, Syracuse’s next challenge will be on Tuesday when they host California, as they aim to improve their record of 13-11 and 4-7 in the ACC. The team will hope to regroup and adjust strategies moving forward, potentially permitting Anthony to reclaim his spot on the court.