RADFORD, Va. – Following a long layoff, the Highlanders finally return to the hardwood to begin Big South Conference play with a road contest at USC Upstate on Thursday.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: USC Upstate Spartans (3-9, 0-0 Big South)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 6^th at 4 p.m.
Location: G.B. Hodge Center (Spartanburg, S.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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SERIES HISTORY
Radford and USC Upstate have a brief history as opponents -- a five-game series that dates back to the 2018-19 season when the Spartans joined the Big South Conference. The Highlanders have come out on top in all five match-ups, winning three very close contests and delivering a pair of blow outs.
 
In the last meeting between the two programs, Radford hosted USC Upstate on back-to-back days in Feb. 2021. The first game ended 63-61 thanks to a late 6-0 run by the Highlanders. The second game was a completely different story, however, as Radford dominated from start to finish to come away with a lopsided 102-66 victory.

In that second game, an astounding 15 different players scored for Radford while Dravon Mangum led the squad with 16 points and five rebounds. As a team, the Highlanders shot 52.4% from the field, 44.8% from three, and 85.2% (23-27) from the free throw line.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Now in its fourth season as a member of the Big South, USC Upstate is off to a slow start and currently sits at the bottom of the South Division heading into conference play. The 2021-22 Big South Preseason Poll also pegged the Spartans to finish last, but every team has a clean slate heading into the second half of the year.
 
Two of the Spartans' three wins have come against non-Division I opponents, with the other being an 82-78 victory over South Carolina State on Nov. 23. Like Radford, USC Upstate has been on an extended break due to COVID-19 and haven't played a game since falling 85-70 at Ohio on Dec. 21.
 
Senior Bryson Mozone has been the Spartans' best player this season, leading the team with 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Eight different players on the roster are putting up 5.0 or more points per game, giving Upstate a balanced scoring attack that adds up to 67.8 points per contest. The Spartans have been hurt by a -4.0 rebounding margin and a 63.3% clip at the free throw line.
 
SCHEDULE CHANGES STRIKE AGAIN
A relatively smooth start to the 2021-22 season, in terms of sticking to the schedule, has become a much more complicated series of postponements and cancellations due to the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.
 
The Highlanders have had four straight games altered in some way due to COVID-related issues, resulting in an 18-day break between contests. 
 
STOUT OPPOSITION

 
AWAY FROM HOME
Earning a win on the road is a massive challenge for every team in college basketball, and that has proved to be the case for Radford and every team in the Big South this season.
 
The Highlanders and the Longwood Lancers are still searching for their first victory away from home. As a whole, the teams that make up the Big South are a combined 11-61 in those games.
 
FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.