SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening home play for the first time in the 2025-26 season, Upstate Men's Basketball returns from their West Coast trip for the G.B. Hodge Center debut hosting Southern Virginia for Saturday afternoon action live on ESPN+.
Saturday's Matchup
Saturday, November 8 | 12:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (1-1; 0-0 Big South) vs. Southern Virginia (0-0; 0-0 USA South)
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
How they Stack up
Series: First Meeting between both teams
How they Compare
|
USC Upstate
|
|
Southern Virginia (24-25 Stats)
|
|
71.0
|
Scoring Offense
|
76.3
|
|
76.5
|
Scoring Defense
|
73.9
|
|
-5.5
|
Scoring Margin
|
2.3
|
|
.481
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.456
|
|
.444
|
Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.442
|
|
.324
|
Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.337
|
|
.304
|
Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.334
|
|
.674
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.754
|
|
34.0
|
Rebounds/Game
|
36.0
|
|
36.5
|
Rebounds Against/Game
|
32.6
|
|
-2.5
|
Rebounding Margin
|
3.7
|
|
8.0
|
Assists/Game
|
13.9
|
|
18.0
|
Turnovers/Game
|
14.2
|
|
9.5
|
Turnovers Forced/Game
|
14.4
|
|
-8.5
|
Turnover Margin
|
0.3
|
|
6.0
|
Steals/Game
|
8.8
|
|
3.5
|
Blocks/Game
|
2.6
|
Last Times Out
November 5, 2025: USC Upstate 67; Fresno State 66
November 5, 2025: University of Richmond 84; Southern Virginia 56
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Junior Guard, Mason Bendinger made his Upstate debut Monday, November 3rd against Cal Baptist with a 10 point outing while shooting 30 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc. With his debut scratching the surface of his first look at Division I Basketball, Bendinger followed with a 14 point performance in the nail biting win against Fresno State where he shot 54 percent from the field and 67 percent from the charity stripe while adding three rebounds and one assist. Bendinger has gained the trust from Head Coach Marty Richter to play his game within the system due to his will to go get a bucket. As Mason Bendinger continues to grow at Upstate, he will be a player who can defend, score, and help balance the scoring load.
Southern Virginia: Senior Guard, DJ Green makes his return to the Knights for his senior season where he has averaged 13.4 points per game through his two seasons at Southern Virginia. Green has 42 percent from the field through both seasons and had his best year from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 season shooting 36 percent. Green will look to add his veteran leadership to the team in his senior year as he takes the court with the Knights for Saturday afternoon action on ESPN+.
Up next for the Spartans
Following the Saturday action, Upstate continues their homestand welcoming Bob Jones University on Wednesday, November 12th at the G.B. Hodge Center at 7:00 P.M. Eastern time which will air on ESPN+ along with Palmetto Sports and Entertainment.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @Upstate_MBB | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
