SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Coming off a week that saw both games come down to the final margin being scored in the final seconds, USC Upstate men's basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center as the first half of the Big South Conference begins to wind down. The Spartans host conference leader High Point, looking to knock the Panthers from the ranks of the unbeaten in league play.
 
Wednesday's Matchup
January 24, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (6-12; 1-4 Big South) vs. High Point (16-4; 5-0 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Mondays at 4:15 p.m. live from Sugar-n-Spice (212 S. Pine St., Spartanburg) with Coach Dick Cox; Tuesdays at 4:20 p.m. with the voice of Spartans, Ryan Clary, on Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (6-12; 1-4 Big South); High Point (16-4; 5-0 Big South)
Series: High Point leads 6-4
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 18, 2023 (HPU 81; UPST 66); Jan. 7, 2023 (UPST 76; HPU 57); Jan. 12, 2022 (UPST 66; HPU 65); Feb. 27, 2021 (HPU 65; UPST 60); Dec. 31, 2020 (UPST 60; HPU 51)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Against Radford, graduate student guard Nick Alves assured his first career double-double as he dropped 14 points and corralled a career-high 10 rebounds. The game gives him four games scoring 14 or more points and making five or more field goals during Big South play, as he averages 14.0 points per game against league competition. He enters Wednesday's game ranked second in the conference in field goal percentage in Big South games, shooting 64.4 percent from the field.
 
High Point: Averaging 28.0 points per game last week and helping the Panthers to a pair of conference victories, junior guard Kezza Giffa earned his second career nod as the Big South Player of the Week. He's scored 20 or more points on five occasions this season with four of the games coming during league play, including last week when he dropped 27 and 29 markers in consecutive games. He is one of three Big South players averaging 20 or more points during conference play, ranking third in the league at 23.4 points per contest.
 
Last Time Out
January 20, 2024: Radford 64; USC Upstate 61
January 20, 2024: High Point 86; Charleston Southern 79
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Following Wednesday night's contest, Upstate begins its lone two-game road swing during Big South Conference play Saturday as it faces regional rival Gardner-Webb in a men's and women's basketball header against the Spartans' league travel partner. The Spartans and Runnin' Bulldogs are set for a 4 p.m. ET tip.
 
Support the Spartans
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday, Feb. 3 to take on Radford 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.
 
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