SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the hardwood, Upstate Men's Basketball takes the court at the G.B. Hodge Center for Thursday night action hosting Longwood University to wrap up the first half of Big South play.
Thursday's Matchup
Thursday, January 29| 7:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (9-13; 1-6 Big South) vs. Longwood (12-10; 4-3 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
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
How they stack up
All-time series: Longwood leads 8-6
Last Five Meetings: Mar. 1, 2025 (LW 83; UPST 66); Jan. 25, 2025 (LW 80; UPST 54); Feb. 7, 2024 (UPST 69; LW 64); Jan. 17, 2024 (UPST 73; LW 71); Feb. 15, 2023 (LW 72; UPST 67)
How they compare
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USC Upstate
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Longwood
|
|
75.7
|
Scoring Offense
|
77.6
|
|
73.2
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Scoring Defense
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73.1
|
|
2.5
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Scoring Margin
|
4.5
|
|
.444
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Field Goal Pct.
|
.468
|
|
.426
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Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.444
|
|
.342
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Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.306
|
|
.328
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Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.324
|
|
.685
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.760
|
|
37.3
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Rebounds/Game
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36.9
|
|
37.6
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Rebounds Against/Game
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31.8
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|
-0.3
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Rebounding Margin
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5.1
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|
12.8
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Assists/Game
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13.4
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|
11.8
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Turnovers/Game
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14.1
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|
11.9
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Turnovers Forced/Game
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14.8
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|
0.1
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Turnover Margin
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0.7
|
|
6.2
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Steals/Game
|
9.0
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|
4.6
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Blocks/Game
|
2.6
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Last times out
January 23, 2026: Gardner-Webb 67; USC Upstate 65
January 23, 2026: Longwood: 81; Charleston Southern 79
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Junior Forward, Jafeth Martinez leads Upstate with 1.8 blocks totaling 39 blocks on the year. Martinez has 11 games with two or more blocks and is #34 in the NCAA in total blocks along with being ranked #50 in blocks per game. Jafeth Martinez is shooting 60 percent from the field and 61 percent from the charity stripe. Martinez also leads Upstate with 5.2 rebounds a game including a team-high of 51 offensive rebounds. Taking on Longwood, who leans on paint action, Martinez will play a key role in slowing down the Lancers' paint production.
Longwood: Redshirt Senior, Elijah Tucker has had his best season with the Lancers averaging 12.7 points a game while shooting 63 percent from the field and 70 percent from the charity stripe. On the boards, Tucker adds 6.3 rebounds a game including a team-leading 56 offensive rebounds. Tucker has added four 20+ point performances with his season high being a 24-point performance against Pfeiffer on December 3, 2025. Elijah Tucker will be a player to watch as he looks to lead the Lancers to their third consecutive win over Upstate.
Up next for the Spartans
Upstate Men's Basketball opens the second half of Big South play taking a trip down I-26 for the second round of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry on Wednesday, February 4th taking on UNC Asheville at 6:30 P.M. EST.
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!
Ingles I-26 Rivalry Food Drive: Support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg by donating to the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive through Saturday, February 14. All donations stay local, and donors may scan the QR code on donation bins for a free ticket to an upcoming Upstate basketball game. For donation locations and more information, click here.
