SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening a new week, Upstate Men's Basketball takes the hardwood renewing the Ingles I-26 Rivalry hosting UNC Asheville for Big South play in the G.B. Hodge Center live on ESPN+ and CW62 at 6:00 P.M. EST
Wednesday's Matchup
Wednesday, January 21| 6:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (9-11; 1-4 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (8-12; 2-4 Big South)
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400| Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App| CW62
Weekly Coaches Interviews: Catch head coach Marty Richter twice every week! Mondays at 4:30 P.M.: "Spartans at the Spice" at Sugar N Spice (Watch) and Tuesdays at 3:40 p.m. at Fox Sports Spartanburg.
Jeremy Clements Night
Spartanburg native and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity Series) driver Jeremy Clements will make an appearance at the G. B. Hodge Center on Wednesday night. Fans will have the opportunity to get a photo taken with his number 51 Chevrolet in a one-of-a-kind USC Upstate paint scheme. Clements' appearance and the USC Upstate car are presented by Spartan Waste and Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM. Clements will also be a halftime guest on the television broadcast which will air on ESPN+ and CW62.
How they Stack Up
UNC Asheville leads 14-5
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 12, 2025 (AVL 92; UPST 85); Jan. 15, 2025 (AVL 93; UPST 92); Feb. 10, 2024 (AVL 77; UPST 64); Jan. 3, 2024 (AVL 95; UPST 67); Mar. 3, 2023 (AVL 66; UPST 62)
How they compare
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USC Upstate
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UNC Asheville
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76.6
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Scoring Offense
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74.2
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|
73.1
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Scoring Defense
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73.2
|
|
3.5
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Scoring Margin
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0.9
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|
.447
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Field Goal Pct.
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.459
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.421
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Field Goal Pct. Defense
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.446
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|
.343
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Three-Point FG Pct.
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.357
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|
.322
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Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
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.321
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|
.688
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Free Throw Pct.
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.696
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37.8
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Rebounds/Game
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35.3
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37.7
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Rebounds Against/Game
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33.1
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0.2
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Rebounding Margin
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2.2
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|
12.9
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Assists/Game
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11.2
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12.1
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Turnovers/Game
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13.1
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|
12.1
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Turnovers Forced/Game
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11.2
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|
0.0
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Turnover Margin
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-1.9
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|
6.3
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Steals/Game
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5.8
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|
4.5
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Blocks/Game
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2.9
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Last Times Out
January 17, 2026: High Point 89; USC Upstate 69
January 17, 2026: Winthrop 69; UNC Asheville 67
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Redshirt Junior Wing, Learic Davis continues to be a swiss army knife in the Marty Richter system through 20 games played. During the week of Jan. 11-Jan. 17, Davis averaged 19.5 points while shooting 66 percent from the field and 62 percent from beyond arc. Through both games played in the week, Davis added a new career high in points (22), field goals (8), and three-pointers made (4). Learic Davis played a key role in the overtime win against Charleston Southern including his career high in points and a three-pointer at the 2:27 mark in overtime that put Upstate in the lead which ultimately followed with his teammate, Karmani Gregory securing the dagger three-pointer on the next possession. In the game against High Point, Davis led with 17 points while adding four triples. Learic Davis is a player that can guard positions 1-5 and his offensive versatility can put him in many lineups including being at the small ball five position. Davis averages 10.0 points a game, 5.3 rebounds and is shooting 53 percent from the field. Learic Davis will be a player to watch as the Spartans look to re-enter the win column in the rivalry.
UNC Asheville: Sophomore Guard/Forward Kameron Taylor leads the Bulldogs with 17.9 points a game and made the jump from his freshman season where he averaged 8.9 points a game. Taylor is shooting 43 percent from the field and 69 percent from beyond the arc while adding 6.1 rebounds a game. Taylor's season high was November 8, 2025 against Georgia Southern where he led with 29 points shooting 10-for-17 from the field. Taylor possesses nature athleticism and has gained the trust from Coach Mike Morrell to be himself on the court which has displayed him being ranked #2 in the Big South in scoring. The Spartans will look to contain Taylor from a scoring outburst in the rivalry.
Up next for the Spartans
Following a mid-week matchup, Upstate Men's Basketball travels to Boiling Springs, North Carolina taking on Gardner-Webb for a Saturday afternoon showdown at 2:00 P.M. live on ESPN+.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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