Upstate Basketball Reloads Around Talent, Toughness and Togetherness Under Richter
7/21/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
When Marty Richter became the 11th head coach in USC Upstate men’s basketball history on April 5, 2024, he understood that rebuilding the Spartan program would take time.
The first season was about establishing a strong foundation for the program. The second produced tangible progress, with the Spartans more than doubling their win total and showing flashes of what the program could become. Now, as Upstate prepares for its third season under Richter, the focus is shifting toward taking the next step.
“I’ve known getting to the third year would be an important part of the process,” Richter said. “I didn’t want to get there fast, but year three is when you start trying to get over the rebuilding hump. I think we’ve built a foundation within the team, within the community and within the college. This is who we are and where we want to be.”
The Spartans improved quickly from six victories in Richter’s first season to 13 in 2025-26, finishing 10-5 inside the G.B. Hodge Center. The year included a road victory over Fresno State, a Senior Day win over Gardner-Webb and a memorable 100-94 overtime victory against Charleston Southern — the program’s first 100-point performance in a Big South game.
Upstate enters the new season with another retooled roster, but Richter believes the program’s talent and overall basketball feel have improved from top to bottom.
“From year two to year three, our talent level has grown,” Richter said. “From one through 15, we’ve gotten better at each number. It’s all growing and heading in the right direction as a program.”
Beyond the increased talent, Richter has been encouraged by the new group’s competitiveness and energy.
“They are fun to be around. They compete really hard, and they know how to play,” Richter said. “You don’t have to coach every movement and every little thing. They’ve got a lot of life and energy all the time.”
With two players returning, creating chemistry quickly has been one of the staff’s most important summer priorities. Rather than beginning with an extensive installation of the offensive system, Richter has used defense and the demanding work that comes with it to accelerate the team-building process.
“I’m not worried about this group coming together despite having so many new faces,” Richter said. “The best way to build that connection is by doing the hard things together, and for us, that starts on defense. We’ve spent a lot of time working on our defense and communication, and we’re already starting to have it come together.”
The approach has helped players learn early which teammates will communicate, compete and provide support when possessions become difficult.
“You find out right away whether that guy has your back or not,” Richter said. “I think we’ve gotten that this summer through our work.”
The roster is not the only part of the program being rebuilt. Upstate is also integrating a revamped coaching staff featuring experienced voices who can contribute immediately on the floor.
Richter brought in veteran assistant Shaun Vandiver, a former head coach who previously worked alongside Richter at Bowling Green. The familiarity between the two has helped Vandiver quickly establish himself within the program.
“We were fortunate to bring in experienced coaches who understand what we’re trying to build,” Richter said. “They’ve been able to step in, connect with our players and hit the floor running.”
Richter has also continued to evolve as he enters his third season in Spartanburg. The biggest adjustment has been learning that successful teaching is not determined by how much information a coach installs, but by how well the team understands and executes its most important concepts.
“I’ve found ways to simplify how we teach our system,” Richter said. “I’ve realized it’s not about how much information you give the players, but how you present it and adjust your approach to help them learn more efficiently.”
That combination of new coaching styles, experienced staff members and a deeper roster has helped create optimism surrounding the program. When the Spartans reach February and March, Richter wants their identity to be unmistakable.
“Pace, toughness and competitive spirit,” Richter said.
While Richter remains focused on the program’s future, he has also taken time to appreciate what Spartanburg offers student-athletes beyond basketball. From nearby internship and career opportunities to the resources available throughout the greater Spartanburg and Greenville communities, Richter believes Upstate provides players with a strong foundation for life after college.
“I didn’t fully realize how much Spartanburg had to offer until I got here,” Richter said. “It’s a great community with so many businesses and professional opportunities nearby. Our student-athletes can pursue internships with Fortune 500 companies while they’re in school and have real career options when they graduate. It’s a great place to live, grow and prepare for what comes next.”
Those opportunities, along with the qualities Richter is working to establish on the court, will help define the next stage of Upstate’s development as the Spartans build upon two seasons of steady progress.
Year one introduced the foundation. Year two delivered measurable improvement.
Year three represents an opportunity to begin the next chapter of Spartan Hoops.
