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MBB Up Next vs. USC Upstate

Men's Basketball

Radford Aims To Keep Momentum Alive Against USC Upstate Wednesday Night

RADFORD, Va. – Radford has a chance to move above .500 in Big South play when USC Upstate comes to town for a 7 p.m. duel on Wednesday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: USC Upstate Spartans (6-7, 1-1 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)

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

SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders and Spartans have gone head-to-head six times in program history, with Radford coming out on top each time. First facing each other on Jan. 10, 2019, the Highlanders are 3-0 at home and 3-0 at home when playing USC Upstate.
 
When the conference foes played each other last season, Josiah Jeffers posted 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals to lead Radford to an 82-77 victory inside the G.B. Hodge Center. Jordan Gainey was excellent as well, scoring 16 points on just six shot attempts.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
USC Upstate has made plenty of strides in the right direction under former Radford assistant coach and current Spartans head coach Dave Dickerson. He's got his team off to a 6-7 start this season, including a win over Winthrop to begin Big South play.
 
Reigning Co-Big South Freshman of the Year and Preseason All-Conference selection Jordan Gainey is Upstate's undisputed star, averaging 16.5 points, 2.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game while having attempted 76 more shots than any of his teammates. Redshirt sophomore guard Trae Broadnax has taken a big leap forward as Gainey's primary running mate and is posting 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a team-high 3.1 assists per contest.
 
As a team, the Spartans lead the big south with 7.7 steals per game and are holding opponents to a lowly 29.9% on three-point attempts, but a -5.1 rebounding margin and 13.1 turnovers per game have limited their potential at times.
 
BASH BOARD BROTHERS  
LINEUP SHUFFLE
Head coach Darris Nichols deployed his sixth different starting lineup of the season in Saturday's win over Presbyterian, bringing senior guard Josiah Jeffers off the bench for the first time while Onyebuchi Ezeakudo began the game on the floor.
 
The combination of Giles, Jeffers, Smith, Antoine, and Jules has been the team's most effective lineup, going 4-0 thus far. But the new look of Ezeakudo, Smith, Antoine, Archer, and Niang is 1-0 and looking to keep the positive momentum going.

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.
 
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Players Mentioned

Josiah Jeffers

#2 Josiah Jeffers

G
6' 1"
Senior
Onyebuchi Ezeakudo

#12 Onyebuchi Ezeakudo

G
6' 2"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Josiah Jeffers

#2 Josiah Jeffers

6' 1"
Senior
G
Onyebuchi Ezeakudo

#12 Onyebuchi Ezeakudo

6' 2"
Graduate Student
G