SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Looking to continue the momentum it's built since seeing the calendar flip to February and coming off the team's first road win during Big South play, USC Upstate men's basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center Saturday to wrap up the men's basketball portion of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series, hosting UNC Asheville.
 
Saturday's Matchup presented by Ingles
February 10, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (8-15; 3-7 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (16-9; 8-2 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 (8-15; 3-7 Big South); UNC Asheville (16-9; 8-2 Big South)
Series: UNC Asheville leads 11-5
Last Five Meetings: Jan. 3, 2024 (AVL 95; UPST 67); March 5, 2023 (AVL 66; UPST 62); Feb. 4, 2023 (UPST 76; AVL 70); Jan. 21, 2023 (AVL 65; UPST 58); Feb. 12, 2022 (AVL 83; UPST 56)
 
First Meeting This Season
In the season's first meeting between Upstate and UNC Asheville, graduate student guard Nick Alves led a trio of double-figure scorers with 16 points—his second consecutive 15-plus point scoring game—as he secured the first of his five double-figure scoring halves of the year with 12 second-half markers. Redshirt junior guard Trae Broadnax and sophomore guard Justin Bailey joined Alves in double-figures, adding 12 and 11 points, respectively, in a 95-67 setback for the Spartans.
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Playing 30 or more minutes for the second consecutive game, redshirt sophomore guard Jalen Breazeale paced the Spartan offense in the victory at Longwood, passing out a career-best seven assists. Adding four assists in Upstate's win over Radford, he's passed out 11 total assists in the Spartans' latest two victories, the most in a two-game stretch in his career. He enters Saturday's game averaging 4.9 points and 2.7 assists per game during Big South play.
 
UNC Asheville: Leading the Bulldogs to knock off the previously undefeated in league play High Point Wednesday, senior forward Nick McMullen posted a team-high 19 points as all five starters finished the night scoring in double-figures. The game marked his eighth double-figure scoring game during Big South play as he's one of three Bulldogs averaging double-figures in conference play, averaging 12.5 points per game.
 
Last Time Out
February 7, 2024: USC Upstate 69; Longwood 64
February 7, 2024: UNC Ashville 86; High Point 81
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Continuing a stretch against teams slotted atop the Big South standings, Upstate heads back on the road to face the team leading the conference. The Spartans meet High Point next Wednesday at the Qubein Center—the site of the 2024 Big South Men's Basketball Championship—with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. ET.
 
Donate to the I-26 Rivalry Canned Food Drive supporting Miracle Hill Ministries
Support USC Upstate Athletics and Miracle Hill Ministries by donating canned and non-perishable food items for the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Canned Food Drive through February 10. A competition between USC Upstate and UNC Asheville, the school collecting the most donations will win three bonus points in the yearlong rivalry series. For rivalry series details and donation drop-off locations, click here. Make your donations of three or more canned or non-perishable food items at the home basketball games on Feb. 10 and be entered to win USC Upstate gear, gift cards, and other prizes! Stop by the Ingles Marketing Tent in the lobby of the Hodge Center for more details.
 
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