SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Coming off a lengthy break due to exam week, USC Upstate men's basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center for the back half of its non-conference-long two-game homestand as it hosts Western Carolina. The Spartans and Catamounts meet for the third straight season and fourth time overall when the opening tap is controlled on Saturday afternoon.
 
Saturday's Matchup presented by Ingles
December 16, 2023 | 4:30 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (4-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. Western Carolina (7-2; 0-0 SoCon)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: Nexstar Game of the Week | ESPN+ or WYCW (Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville) or WWCW (Roanoke, Va.)
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 4-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. Western Carolina (7-2; 0-0 SoCon)
Series: USC Upstate leads 2-1
Last Five Meetings: Dec. 3, 2022 (UPST 79; WCU 64); Dec. 3, 2021 (WCU 78; UPST 73); Nov. 23, 2013 (UPST 72; WCU 58)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Leading all scorers against Kennesaw State, sophomore guard Justin Bailey collected his 24^th career double-figure scoring game as he dropped a career-best 21 points against the Owls with the game marking the second time he's posted a career-high scoring total this season. He scored 11 of his 21 points from the free throw line, becoming the first Spartan in a calendar year to knock down 10 or more attempts from the charity stripe in the same game. Averaging 12.8 points per game, he enters Saturday as the Spartans' leading scorer while also leading the Big South in steals per game, generating 2.2 thefts per contest.
 
Western Carolina: A key piece that fills multiple roles for the Catamounts, senior guard Vonterius Woolbright enters the weekend as one of the NCAA's top scorers and rebounders, ranking in the top 10 in the country in both categories. He averages 22.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, ranking eighth and fifth, respectively, in the nation as he's scored no fewer than 14 points and grabbed no fewer than seven rebounds in a game this season. He also enters Saturday's contest ranked fourth in the country in double-doubles, sitting one off the nation's lead with six on the year.
 
Last Time Out
December 9, 2023: Kennesaw State 84; USC Upstate 77
December 9, 2023: Western Carolina 78; UNC Asheville 63
 
Up Next for the Spartans
For the penultimate game of the team's non-conference slate, USC Upstate hits the road one final time ahead of the holiday break, returning to action on Dec. 21. The Spartans head to Davidson for the program's first meeting with the Wildcats. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.
 
Support the Spartans
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday, December 30 to take on Coker 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 
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans