Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
MBB Up Next at USC Upstate

Men's Basketball

Highlanders Head To Spartanburg for Rematch With USC Upstate

RADFORD, Va. – In a rematch with the last time to beat them before going on a six-game winning streak, the Radford men's basketball team heads to USC Upstate on Saturday.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: USC Upstate Spartans (9-11, 4-5 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: G.B. Hodge Center (Spartanburg, S.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch: CLICK HERE (ESPN+)
Listen: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
Radford took the win in each of the first six meetings against USC Upstate, but the Spartans came into the Dedmon Center and earned their first victory in the series history earlier this season.
 
On Jan. 4, the Highlanders dropped a 65-60 decision to Upstate for one of just two Big South losses so far this year. Four different Spartans scored in double figures, led by Khydarius Smith's 14 points on 7-fo-8 shooting. DaQuan Smith dropped 19 points for Radford, but the Spartans shot 53.2% as a team while the Highlanders were held to a 46.0 field goal percentage.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Since winning three of their first four Big South games of the season – including a win over Radford to kick off 2023 – the Spartans have lost four of their last five outings.
 
During conference play, USC Upstate is shooting a strong 47.6% from the field and a decent 35.3% from beyond the arc, but free throws continue to be an issue for Dave Dickerson's squad at just 62.3%. The Spartans are also being out-rebounded by an average of 34.6-to-30.8 with the entire difference coming via offensive boards.
 
Jordan Gainey leads the squad with 13.3 points per game but has been a bit inefficient considering he's taken 33 more shots than any of his teammates. Justin Bailey (11.9 points) and Trae Broadnax (11.4 points) are shooting 51.6% and 52.2% respectively, making the duo a dangerous combination to keep an eye on.
 
DEFENSE FIRST
Radford's defense has been solid all year, but the team has upped its game even more during the current six-game winning streak. Allowing just 62.5 points on 43.6% shooting across those six games, the Highlanders now rank first for defensive scoring in the Big South this season. The effort has also moved Radford into second in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by 7.0 points per game on average.

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.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

DaQuan Smith

#1 DaQuan Smith

G
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

DaQuan Smith

#1 DaQuan Smith

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
G