SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Wrapping up their three-game homestand at the G.B. Hodge Center, the Men's Basketball team welcomes Gardner-Webb on their home court for an afternoon weekend matchup with a scheduled 3:00 p.m. tip for Homecoming. The Spartans look to end the four-game series streak against the Runnin' Bulldogs and claim victory on their home court.
Saturday's Matchup
February 15, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-22; 1-11 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (9-15; 4-6 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| Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interviews: Catch head coach Marty Richter twice every week! Tuesdays at 3:20 p.m.: Fox Sports Spartanburg live at Delaney's and Mondays at 4:00 p.m.: "Spartans at the Spice" at Sugar N Spice (Watch).
How they Stack Up
Series: Gardner-Webb leads 11-6
Last Five Meetings: Jan. 18, 2025 (GW 98; UPST 67); Feb. 17, 2024 (GW 73; UPST 65) ; Jan. 27. 2024 (GW 75; UPST 70); Mar. 3, 2023 (UPST 77; GW 76); Feb. 25, 2023 (UPST 75; GW 69)
How they Compare
|
USC Upstate
|
|
Gardner-Webb
|
|
75.3
|
Scoring Offense
|
74.5
|
|
83.5
|
Scoring Defense
|
78.2
|
|
-8.2
|
Scoring Margin
|
-3.7
|
|
.459
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.470
|
|
.478
|
Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.454
|
|
.306
|
Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.345
|
|
.348
|
Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.335
|
|
.676
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.691
|
|
34.3
|
Rebounds/Game
|
36.5
|
|
36.9
|
Rebounds Against/Game
|
33.5
|
|
-2.6
|
Rebounding Margin
|
3.0
|
|
13.6
|
Assists/Game
|
11.2
|
|
14.1
|
Turnovers/Game
|
14.8
|
|
11.9
|
Turnovers Forced/Game
|
10.3
|
|
-2.2
|
Turnover Margin
|
-4.5
|
|
7.0
|
Steals/Game
|
5.1
|
|
2.2
|
Blocks/Game
|
3.5
|
Last Times Out
February 12, 2025: UNC Asheville 92; USC Upstate 85
February 12, 2025: Charleston Southern 79; Gardner-Webb 72
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Redshirt Sophomore Guard, Karmani Gregory has adjusted well in his role as the floor general who is not afraid to be aggressive on the offensive end if needed. Gregory displayed his offensive aggression with a career high in scoring shooting 10-for-16 from the field with 23 Points. Gregory makes his defenders guess with his high IQ and speed that helps him blow by defenders while also keeping an eye on his teammates. On the season, Karmani Gregory averages 10.6 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 26 percent from beyond the arc. Gregory is the runaway assist leader for the Spartans with a total of 100 assists being ranked #6 in the Big South as one of five players to have 100 assists or more on the season. Karmani Gregory continues to gain trust from Head Coach Marty Richter as the bus driver of the offense on the court and has wanted that fierce play to be the driving force in the team's gameplan. Gregory takes pressure off leading scorer, Mister Dean with his will to shoot at his spots while dominating the ball with offensive sets. Gregory will look to lead the Spartans to victory on their homecourt while tying the season series against Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb: Sophomore Guard, Darryl Simmons II is ranked #3 in scoring in the Big South averaging 17.3 points per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 42 percent from the three-point line. In the last matchup against USC Upstate, Simmons added 20 Points while shooting 60 percent from the three-point line and 50 percent overall. The quick release from Simmons makes it tough for the defenders to contest his shot while also showcasing a will to drive. In the game against Winthrop, Simmons scored 40 points in 38 minutes while shooting 13-for-22 overall and 8-for-12 from the three-point line. The Spartans will look to contain Simmons from having the scoring outburst that he has proven on many occasions.
Up Next for the Spartans
Wrapping up a three-game homestand, USC Upstate travels to Charleston, South Carolina for a midweek matchup on the road at Charleston Southern Saturday, February 22 with a scheduled tip for 2:00 p.m.
Hub City Live Auction: The jersey auction will go live on Wednesday, February 12, at 9 a.m. and will run until 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15. Proceeds will directly benefit USC Upstate student-athletes.
Auction Link
The auction is coordinated by Athletics Admin, a consulting and contract agency that has helped over a dozen athletic departments nationwide generate new and additional revenue.
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