RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball looks to bounce back from a pair of heart-wrenching losses when it welcomes USC Upstate to the New River Valley on Saturday afternoon.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: USC Upstate Spartans (6-11, 1-3 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Radford, Va. (Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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SERIES HISTORY
One of the newest Big South foes, Radford owns a 7-1 record in the all-time series with USC Upstate. The Highlanders won each of the first six meetings before dropping a 65-60 decision inside the Dedmon Center last season.
 
Radford got revenge in the return trip to Spartanburg however, winning 55-52. In that game, Bryan Antoine dropped 21 points on a 5-for-7 performance from three-point range while Justin Archer added 11 points. Mysta Goodloe (12 points) and Jordan Gainey (10 points) paced the Spartans.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Still looking to make their mark in the Big South after joining the league in 2018, USC Upstate is coming off their best season yet with a 10-8 record in conference play. But with star guard Jordan Gainey transferring to Tennessee, the Spartans are just 1-3 to begin the 2023-24 conference slate.
 
The duo of Trae Broadnax and Justin Bailey have now taken the reigns, averaging 13.7 and 11.2 points per game, respectively. Broadnax has turned into one of the best playmakers in the conference, ranking third with 3.9 assists per contest as well.
 
Forcing turnovers and countering quickly are the calling card of Dave Dickerson's team. USC Upstate enters Saturday ranking 70^th in the nation in steals per game (8.0) and 81^st in fast break points per game (12.35). They also avoid coughing the ball up themselves, ranking 77^th in the country and first in the Big South with a +2.1 turnover margin.
 
EARN THOSE FREE THROWS
Drawing fouls and earning trips to the free throw line and can be a crucial part of winning games. Exhibit 1A and 1B are the last two undefeated teams in conference play, Winthrop and High Point, who rank first and second in the Big South with 139 and 124 free throws attempted in four conference games, respectively.
 
On the other hand, one of Radford's biggest challenges this season has been getting to the free throw line. The Highlanders are last in the Big South with 56 free throw attempts through four league matchups, while USC Upstate is second-to-last with 78 trip to the charity stripe.
 
TURNOVER MARGIN
An area in which the Highlanders have shown a lot of improvement lately has been their ability to take care of the basketball and limit turnovers. Radford heads into Saturday's game ranking second in the Big South with a +2.75 turnover margin as one of just three teams giving the ball up 10.0 or less times per contest.

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' on Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.