SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Following a stretch that saw the team play seven of its first nine games on the road, USC Upstate men's basketball heads home to the G.B. Hodge Center for the front half of the team's longest non-conference homestand. As part of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader, the Spartans host former ASUN-foe Kennesaw State Saturday.
 
Saturday's Matchup presented by Ingles
December 9, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (4-5; 0-0 Big South) vs. Kennesaw State (6-3; 0-0 ASUN)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: Nexstar Game of the Week | ESPN+ or WYCW (Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville)
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 (4-5; 0-0 Big South); Kennesaw State (6-3; 0-0 ASUN)
Series: USC Upstate leads 14-10
Last Five Meetings: Dec. 20, 2022 (KSU 65; UPST 56); Feb. 3, 2018 (KSU 93; UPST 69); Jan. 27, 2018 (KSU 81; UPST 80); Feb. 27, 2017 (KSU 80; UPST 78); Feb. 4, 2017 (KSU 84; UPST 79)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: With a team-high-tying 14 points against North Carolina Central, redshirt junior guard Floyd Rideau Jr. scored in double-figures in both Spartans' contests last week, posting double-figure scoring totals in consecutive games for the second time in his career and the first time in a Spartan uniform. Averaging 15.5 points per game last week, he did most of his scoring in the second half or overtime for the Spartans, averaging 12.0 points following the halftime break, posting 12 points in the second halves against Coastal Carolina and North Carolina Central.
 
Kennesaw State: One of four Owls scoring 10 or more points per game this season, senior forward Demond Robinson averages 12.8 points per game while leading Kennesaw State on the boards, averaging 8.9 rebounds per game. He's scored in double-figures in eight of nine games this year and posted double-doubles in three of those eight games. Robinson also enters the weekend ranked sixth in the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 4.22 offensive boards per game.
 
Last Time Out
December 2, 2023: USC Upstate 85; North Carolina Central 82
December 5, 2023: Kennesaw State 79; UNC Asheville 76 [OT]
 
Up Next for the Spartans
After a week break, USC Upstate returns to the court for the final game of the team's two-game non-conference homestand in the penultimate non-conference game for the team this season. The Spartans host Western Carolina on Dec. 16 with tip-off for the team's final non-conference home game set for 4:30 p.m. ET.
 
Support the Spartans
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday, December 9 to take on Kennesaw State at 7 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.
 
Get Your Gear
The USC Upstate Bookstore Hodge Center Shop is open for Saturday's game! Gear up with your Spartan gear at the Hodge Center shop located in the lobby of the Arena and for the full selection of USC Upstate merchandise stop by the USC Upstate Bookstore on North Campus Blvd. Monday-Friday during normal business hours.
 
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