Just prior to the start of the 2025-26 basketball season Adrian Autry had news to share with his team. Starting this season, the Syracuse team bench would be referred to as the “juicing station.”
It has nothing to do with actual juice (although the team has plenty of nutrition and hydration options throughout the game). The juicing station is a figurative description for the team bench, meant for players to encourage and provide energy toward teammates actively competing in-game.
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“The bench is what we call our juicing station,” Adrian Autry explained. “Those guys are in it. They’re waiting to get in. They provide energy. They got the juice. Once they get in the game they bring the juice.”
The idea was met with initial apprehension from players. When Autry initially informed his team they didn’t know what to make of it.
“We all kind of just laughed at him but he takes it really serious,” Kiyan Anthony said.
Despite initial apprehension, Syracuse players have bought in. The idea is to be a good teammate and to keep guys engaged when they’re not actively competing in-game. Once the bench players do enter the game, the goal is to have no drop-offs in effort or energy. Players are expected to keep the intensity at a high level.
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“We talk about playing with energy,” Autry said, “and a level-five energy and intensity. When we got this team together we knew we were talented. We knew we could play nine or ten guys.”
Syracuse played ten rotation guys on Saturday against Drexel (before the final two minutes). The Orange was narrowly up five at the intermission after a lousy defensive effort. Autry, intent to motivate, challenged his team at the break.
“He told us we (were) BS’ing at halftime,” Anthony said. “We gotta pick the juice station up.”
Syracuse came out of the break with a heightened level of intensity on defense, limiting the Dragons to just 18 second-half points on 20% shooting. A few of those points came in the final minutes when the game was well in hand. Out of the break Syracuse applied full-court pressure and Drexel committed two early turnovers. A third defensive stand nearly forced a five second violation before Drexel called timeout. The Syracuse bench erupted.
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“Whoever is on the bench, just bring it. Just scream. Help your teammates on the court,” Anthony said.
Syracuse has designated Noah Lobdell as its bench coach. While also helping communicate where Syracuse is with defensive kills, he’s expected to deliver the vigor.
“He’s a guy that is making sure that everyone is bringing the energy and bringing the juice. It’s a big job. It’s a big responsibility,” Autry said.
The juicing station got its opportunity in the second half. Sadiq White’s infectious energy helped in full-court pressure. His length and athleticism make him a good option to defend the inbounder. His four points pushed the Syracuse lead to double-digits when Drexel was still within striking distance.
Bryce Zephir, a college basketball journeyman, contributed four points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Ibrahim Souare played good defense, grabbing three rebounds and blocking a shot. Luke Fennell didn’t get any first half run, but he came in as Syracuse was holding a 13-point lead almost midway through the second half.
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“Luke, that’s my guy. That’s the Australian demon right there. He definitely comes out, he’s always ready,” Anthony said. “To see him come out in the second half after not playing in the first half was big, especially as a freshman.”
Fennell knocked down a wide-open triple and dished out an assist. Later in the game he was fouled taking a three and made all three free throws.
“It’s always being prepared whenever your name is called,” Fennell said. “Being able to come out, get to work no matter what the situation is, up 20, down 20. So I just made sure I came in with the same mentality I always come in with and that’s try to eat.”
The Orange got contributions from top to bottom. For the first time this season Autry put in Lobdell, who registered a steal. He also played Tiefing Diawara, Syracuse’s 7-foot freshman center, who had a late dunk.
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“I thought the second half our juicing station,” Autry said, “they came in and really set the tone.”
It might sound like a gimmick to some. It might sound corny to others. But on Saturday, the yield of the juicing station was worth the halftime squeeze.
