SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Returning to the road and coming off a game decided in the final seconds of overtime earlier in the week, USC Upstate men's basketball prepares to face another team where the last meeting in the series was decided in the final seconds. Heading to the Triangle, the Spartans look for their first win against North Carolina Central, looking to avenge a last-second loss to the Eagles at the G.B. Hodge Center during the 2021-22 season.
 
Saturday's Matchup
December 2, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (3-5; 0-0 Big South) at North Carolina Central (4-4; 0-0 MEAC)
McDougald-McLendon Arena | Durham, N.C.
 
TV: NCCUSN | Link available via the men's basketball schedule page
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Catch head coach Dave Dickerson weekly on Fox Sports Spartanburg every Tuesday at 4:20 p.m. ET
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (3-5; 0-0 Big South); North Carolina Central (4-4; 0-0 MEAC)
Series: North Carolina Central leads 2-0
Last Five Meetings: Dec. 1, 2021 (NCCU 67; UPST 65); Nov. 11, 2019 (NCCU 73; UPST 64)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Coming off the bench for the Spartans, redshirt junior guard Floyd Rideau Jr. led all scores versus Coastal Carolina as he turned in a season-high 17 points while shooting 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from the field and 83.3 percent (5-of-6) from beyond the arc. He also added a season-high five rebounds and two steals in the game as he scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half to stoke Upstate's comeback attempt against the Chanticleers. His 17-point performance Wednesday night made him the fifth Spartan this season to score 15 or more points in a game.
 
North Carolina Central: Scoring in double-figures in all eight of his team's games, including scoring 20-plus twice, sophomore guard Po'Boigh King enters the weekend as North Carolina Central's leading scorer—one of three Eagles averaging 14.0 or more points per game. He's coming off a 21-point performance against Coastal Carolina as he averages 15.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the field. He's also strung together three straight games where he's finished just shy of a double-double, pulling in no fewer than eight rebounds in each of the past three games for the Eagles.
 
Last Time Out
November 26, 2023: North Carolina Central 70; Coastal Carolina 58
November 29, 2023: Coastal Carolina 72; USC Upstate 70 [OT] | Postgame Interview
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Following the team's game Saturday, Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center for the first of two consecutive home games as the non-conference slate winds down. The first of the two home contests see Kennesaw State head to the Hodge for the back half of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader on Dec. 9 with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.
 
Support the Spartans
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday, November 25 to take on Voorhees at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets for all USC Upstate men's and women's basketball games are on sale now with tickets beginning at just $8! To order log into upstatespartans.com/tickets.
 
Gameday Parking
Fans attending USC Upstate basketball games in the coming weeks will notice a change in parking options. Parking for the general public will only be available in front of the Hodge Center as the rows adjacent to the building on the University Way side are closed due to renovation work to the Hodge Center roof. VIP parking for donors entering the Champions Suite behind the Arena is unaffected. Parking is free for all USC Upstate basketball games and the closure of the side lots around the building will be in effect indefinitely.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans