SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the second half of Big South action, Upstate Men's Basketball renews the Ingles I-26 Rivalry traveling to UNC Asheville for Wednesday night action at 6:30 P.M. Eastern Time live on ESPN+.
Wednesday's Matchup
Wednesday, February 4| 6:30 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (10-13; 2-6 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (10-13; 4-5 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
UNC Asheville leads 15-5
Last Five Meetings: Jan. 21, 2026 (AVL 83; UPST 69); 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)
How they compare
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USC Upstate
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UNC Asheville
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75.2
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Scoring Offense
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74.2
|
|
72.7
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Scoring Defense
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72.5
|
|
2.6
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Scoring Margin
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1.7
|
|
.444
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Field Goal Pct.
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.459
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|
.426
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Field Goal Pct. Defense
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.444
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|
.341
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Three-Point FG Pct.
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.361
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|
.322
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Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.326
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|
.677
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Free Throw Pct.
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.703
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37.2
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Rebounds/Game
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35.0
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|
37.7
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Rebounds Against/Game
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33.0
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-0.5
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Rebounding Margin
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2.1
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|
12.8
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Assists/Game
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11.3
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12.1
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Turnovers/Game
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12.5
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|
12.1
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Turnovers Forced/Game
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14.8
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|
0.0
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Turnover Margin
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-1.3
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|
6.4
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Steals/Game
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5.7
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|
4.6
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Blocks/Game
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3.1
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Last times out
January 29, 2026: USC Upstate 65; Longwood 60
January 31, 2026: Winthrop 84; UNC Asheville 71
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Sophomore Guard, Carmelo Adkins secured his second collegiate double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win against Longwood. Adkins is the only player so far during the Marty Richter era to post a double-double with his first being 18 points and 11 rebounds on February 8, 2025, against Winthrop. Adkins posted 15 points in the second half against Longwood, ultimately giving the Spartans the second half boost that was needed. Adkins continues to spring more growth in his sophomore season being third on the team with 13.0 Points per game while shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 79 percent from the charity stripe. Outside of scoring, Adkins has five games with eight or more rebounds while averaging 5.0 a game. As the Spartans look to the second half of Big South play, Adkins looks to help his team rewrite the story at UNC Asheville.
UNC Asheville: Fifth Year Guard, Justin Wright is second on the Bulldogs with 17.5 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 79 percent from the charity stripe. Wright added 20 points in the win over Upstate in the Jan. 21 meeting while shooting 7-for-14 from the field, 1-for-2 from beyond the arc and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. Wright added four rebounds in the battle and controlled the game with his slashing style of play forcing the defense to guard him further, which also gives Wright the advantage to blow by a defender or kick out to an open teammate. Wright will look to duplicate his performance in the second matchup against Upstate.
Up next for the Spartans
Following a quick trip down I-26, Upstate Men's Basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center hosting Charleston Southern for Saturday afternoon action at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time 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!
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.
