SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Continuing action for the first week of February, Upstate Men's Basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center beginning their two-game homestand hosting Charleston Southern for Saturday afternoon Big South action at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time live on ESPN+.
Saturday's Matchup
Saturday, February 7| 2:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate (10-14; 2-7 Big South) vs. Charleston Southern (11-13; 2-7 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: Charleston Southern leads 14-8
Last Five Meetings: Jan. 14, 2026 (UPST 86; CSU 81); Feb. 22, 2025 (UPST 79; CSU 69); Jan. 29, 2025 (CSU 82; UPST 75) Feb. 21, 2024 (CSU 63; UPST 60); Jan. 13, 2024 (CSU 77; UPST 60)
How they compare
|
USC Upstate
|
|
Charleston Southern
|
|
74.9
|
Scoring Offense
|
82.6
|
|
72.8
|
Scoring Defense
|
78.7
|
|
2.1
|
Scoring Margin
|
3.9
|
|
.442
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.448
|
|
.430
|
Field Goal Pct. Defense
|
.410
|
|
.338
|
Three-Point FG Pct.
|
.352
|
|
.324
|
Three-Point FG Pct. Defense
|
.304
|
|
.676
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.643
|
|
37.0
|
Rebounds/Game
|
42.7
|
|
37.6
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Rebounds Against/Game
|
39.1
|
|
-0.7
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Rebounding Margin
|
3.9
|
|
12.8
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Assists/Game
|
16.9
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|
12.0
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Turnovers/Game
|
13.9
|
|
12.1
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Turnovers Forced/Game
|
9.5
|
|
0.2
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Turnover Margin
|
-4.4
|
|
6.3
|
Steals/Game
|
4.8
|
|
4.4
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Blocks/Game
|
4.8
|
Last times out
February 4, 2026: UNC Asheville 76; USC Upstate 67
February 4, 2026: High Point 80; Charleston Southern 55
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Junior Guard, Mason Bendinger was one of two players who led with 22 points in the last meeting against Charleston Southern on January 14, 2026. Bendinger leads the Spartans averaging 14.9 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field. Bendinger has continued to grow in his Division I career and make the most of each opportunity to score while giving his team a chance to win. Bendinger has a scorer's mentality but will find an open teammate along with doing the dirty work across the board. Bendinger looks to help the Spartans get back into the win column going into Saturday afternoon.
Charleston Southern: Redshirt Junior Guard, A'lahn Sumler led the Buccaneers with his season-high of 35 points in the first matchup against the Spartans on January 14, 2026. Overall, Sumler leads Charleston Southern with 18.4 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 4.2 rebounds a game. Sumler looks to continue his scoring mentality as he is ranked #4 in the Big South in scoring while having eight games with 20+ points. Sumler looks to help Charleston Southern spoil home play for the Spartans in Saturday's matchup.
Up next for the Spartans
The two-game homestand continues with Upstate returning to the hardwood, hosting High Point University for Thursday night Big South action on February 12th at 7:00 P.M. Eastern time.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @Upstate_MBB | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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