SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Continuing Big South play and returning to the G.B. Hodge Center for the first time during league play, USC Upstate men's basketball hosts Winthrop Saturday afternoon, seeking a third consecutive win against the Eagles after sweeping the season series in 2022-23.
 
Saturday's Matchup presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites Westgate
Jan. 6, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-9; 0-1 Big South) vs. Winthrop (10-6; 1-0 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: 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 (5-9; 0-1 Big South); Winthrop (10-6; 1-0 Big South)
Series: Winthrop leads 10-2
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 11, 2023 (UPST 79; WIN 70); Dec. 29, 2022 (UPST 70; WIN 62); Feb. 24, 2022 (WIN 89; UPST 59); Jan. 26, 2022 (WIN 95; UPST 91 [OT]); Dec. 13, 2022 (WIN 107; UPST 77)
 
Player to Watch
USC Upstate: Leading the Spartans' scoring against UNC Asheville and coming off a career-high scoring effort against Coker, graduate student guard Nick Alves, equaled or surpassed his career-high point total entering the season (16 points) in two consecutive games entering the weekend. He's made seven field goals in each of his past two games, shooting 70.0 percent or greater from the field in both games. He enters Saturday's game averaging 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while adding 15 steals, 14 assists, and nine blocks.
 
Winthrop: One of three Eagles scoring 15 points against Longwood Wednesday, senior forward Kelton Talford notched his third straight and eighth overall double-figure scoring game, upping his season scoring average to 12.4 points per game. He finished the night versus the Lancers, going 5-of-6 from the floor as he pushed his season field goal percentage to 60.0 percent as he's exceeded 60.0 percent shooting on seven occasions this season. He enters Saturday's game averaging 12.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
 
Last Time Out
January 3, 2024: UNC Asheville 95; USC Upstate 67
January 3, 2024: Winthrop 68; Longwood 60 [OT]
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Coming off consecutive conference games to open the new year, Upstate sees the first of its two Big South byes as it plays no league game during the midweek. Instead, the Spartans return to action next Saturday, travelling to the Lowcountry for a meeting with Charleston Southern.
 
Support the Spartans
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday, Jan. 6 to take on Winthrop 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.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans