SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening a new week with lots of action before Christmas, Upstate Men's Basketball will have a three-game slate during the week of Dec. 15- Dec. 20. The Spartans open the week with a quick trip to Orangeburg, South Carolina for a Tuesday night battle at South Carolina State followed by a back-to-back matchup Wednesday night hosting Southern Wesleyan.
This week's matchups
Tuesday, December 16, 2025| 6:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (6-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. South Carolina State (0-11; 0-0 MEAC)
Wednesday, December 17, 2025| 7:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (6-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. Southern Wesleyan (1-7; 0-0 Conference of Carolinas)
Tuesday Media Coverage: Livestats and Audio Only (Audio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400| Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn App)
Wednesday Media Coverage: 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 vs. SC State: Upstate leads 4-1
Last Five Matchups vs. SC State: Dec. 18, 2025 (SCST 85; UPST 70); Dec. 10, 2022 (UPST 89; SCST 84); Nov. 23, 2021 (UPST 82; SCST 78); Dec. 18, 2019 (UPST 73; SCST 70); Dec. 15, 2018 (UPST 88; SCST 84)
Series vs. Southern Wesleyan: Series Tied 1-1
Last two matchups: Nov. 19, 2024 (UPST 95; SWU 63); Nov. 25, 2020 (SWU 82; UPST 72)
How they Compare
|
USC Upstate
|
Stat Categories
|
SC State
|
Southern Wesleyan
|
|
78.3
|
Scoring Offense
|
64.8
|
80.0
|
|
70.8
|
Scoring Defense
|
89.5
|
88.1
|
|
7.5
|
Scoring Margin
|
-24.6
|
-8.1
|
|
.449
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.373
|
.435
|
|
.405
|
Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.492
|
.503
|
|
.340
|
Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.319
|
.339
|
|
.307
|
Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.340
|
.354
|
|
.688
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.633
|
.699
|
|
38.8
|
Rebounds/Game
|
33.8
|
36.3
|
|
38.4
|
Rebounds Against/Game
|
41.2
|
36.3
|
|
0.3
|
Rebounding Margin
|
-7.4
|
0.0
|
|
13.6
|
Assists/Game
|
10.6
|
12.3
|
|
11.8
|
Turnovers/Game
|
15.1
|
11.5
|
|
12.6
|
Turnovers Forced/Game
|
11.8
|
8.6
|
|
0.8
|
Turnover Margin
|
-3.3
|
-2.9
|
|
6.8
|
Steals/Game
|
6.5
|
4.3
|
|
5.2
|
Blocks/Game
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
Players to Watch
Upstate: Redshirt Junior Wing, Learic Davis continues to be a player who makes the Spartans better when he is on the court. Davis has scored in double figures in the last three games (11,11, 14) and continues to cause havoc on the defensive end where he has forced a steal through the last eight games. Davis is fourth on the team in scoring averaging 9.0 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc. Davis also makes his trips to the charity stripe count where he is shooting 75 percent and continues to be a presence on the boards with 4.8 rebounds a game. Davis is second on the team with 1.0 steals a game and looks to help the Spartans get back in the win column with three opportunities this week.
South Carolina State: Junior Guard, Owen Bronston Jr. Leads the Bulldogs with 12.9 points per game where he has scored in double figures eight times through 11 games played. Bronston Jr. Had his season high with 18 points against North Carolina A&T and is shooting 40 percent from the field while stretching the floor with a three-point percentage of 41 percent. At the charity stripe, Bronston Jr. Has been close to automatic with a 92 percent clip at the line. The Spartans will look to contain the slashing guard in the Tuesday night matchup.
Southern Wesleyan: Junior Forward, Jaquay Randolph leads the Warriors with 17.6 points per game where he has scored in double figures seven different times through eight games played. Randolph has scored 20+ points in four games, including his season high of 29 points against Converse. Randolph has used his post presence to create scoring opportunities and find his way to the free throw line, adding averages of 54 percent from the field, 45 percent beyond the arc and 70 percent from the charity stripe. Jaquay Randolph has added six double-doubles, including a 20-point and 20 rebound performance against Shorter. On the season, he leads the Warriors with 13.5 rebounds per game and looks to challenge the Spartans on Wednesday night.
Up next for the Spartans
Following back-to-back action, Upstate will travel to Youngstown, Ohio for their final non-conference battle at Youngstown State on Saturday, December 20th at 1:00 P.M. live on ESPN+.
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