SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Continuing road play in the Big South, USC Upstate Men's Basketball looks to build off the positives from the Ingles I-26 Rivalry and take it to Boiling Springs for an evening matchup at Gardner-Webb Saturday at 4:00 P.M. The Spartans enter the matchup looking spoil a Homecoming against the Runnin' Bulldogs and get back to their winning ways.
Saturday's Matchup
January 18, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-14; 1-3 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (7-11; 2-3 Big South)
Paul Porter Arena| Boiling Springs, N.C.
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400| Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interviews: Catch head coach Marty Richter twice every week! Mondays at 4:00 p.m.: "Spartans at the Spice" at Sugar N Spice (Watch). Tuesdays at 3:20 p.m.
How they Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (5-14; 1-3 Big South); Gardner-Webb (7-11; 2-3 Big South)
Series: Gardner-Webb leads 10-6
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 17, 2024 (GWU 73; UPST 65) ; Jan. 27. 2024 (GWU 75; UPST 70); Mar. 3, 2023 (UPST 77; GWU 76); Feb. 25, 2023 (UPST 75; GWU 69); Jan. 25, 2023 (GWU 78; UPST 66)
How they Compare
|
USC Upstate
|
|
Gardner-Webb
|
|
76.1
|
Scoring Offense
|
72.8
|
|
82.0
|
Scoring Defense
|
78.2
|
|
-5.9
|
Scoring Margin
|
-5.4
|
|
.462
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.467
|
|
.470
|
Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.449
|
|
.302
|
Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.328
|
|
.326
|
Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.327
|
|
.690
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.694
|
|
35.7
|
Rebounds/Game
|
36.5
|
|
35.9
|
Rebounds Against/Game
|
36.3
|
|
-0.2
|
Rebounding Margin
|
3.1
|
|
13.2
|
Assists/Game
|
10.8
|
|
14.7
|
Turnovers/Game
|
15.7
|
|
12.1
|
Turnovers Forced/Game
|
10.3
|
|
-2.6
|
Turnover Margin
|
-5.4
|
|
7.1
|
Steals/Game
|
5.0
|
|
2.3
|
Blocks/Game
|
3.6
|
Last Times Out
January 15, 2025: UNC Asheville 93; USC Upstate 92
January 15, 2025: Radford 79; Gardner-Webb 75
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Junior Guard, Brit Harris looks to build from his season-high against UNC Asheville where he scored 23 Points, six assists and two steals. Harris shot three-for-three from deep and was a difference maker on the court, something that Head Coach Marty Richter has wanted to instill in his guard through the season. Harris shows the ability to get his teammates involved, be a three-level scorer, communicate on the court, and jump the passing lanes with multiple steals. Brit Harris in the backcourt could be a nightmare to guard due to his versatility on both ends of the court. Harris will look to continue his high IQ play on the court and help the Spartans add a win on the road.
Gardner-Webb: Sophomore Guard, Darryl Simmons head the Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring with averages of 15.8 Points per game and is currently on an eight-game streak of double-digit scoring. Simmons adds versatility from behind the arc with shooting 38 percent from three. Darryl Simmons will be a player on each team's scouting report as he currently sits at #5 in the Big South for Points per game and #8 in Field Goal Percentage. Earlier in non-conference play, Simmons added his season and career high against East Carolina with 29 Points and shooting five-for-six from three. Darryl Simmons looks to put on a show in the Paul Porter Arena and help Gardner-Webb steal a win.
Up Next for the Spartans
Continuing play in the Big South, the Spartans will return to the G.B. Hodge Center for some home cooking with a home matchup against conference opponent, High Point University on Wednesday, January 22 with scheduled tip at 7:00 P.M.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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