Radford Highlanders (15-16) vs. USC Upstate Spartans (10-19)
March 6, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: USC Upstate Spartans +4.5; Over/Under: +139.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Radford Highlanders will play the South Carolina Upstate Spartans in the first round of the Big South Tournament on Wednesday night at Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena in High Point, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the Radford preview, South Carolina Upstate preview, betting matchup, and the Radford vs South Carolina Upstate prediction.
Radford Preview
The Radford Highlanders are 15-16 (5-11) this year after they lost to UNC Asheville by a score of 71-62 in their last game. Radford trailed 43-32 at halftime, but did win the second half 30-28 in the loss. The Highlanders shot 40.7% from the field and had 12 turnovers in the game. Radford lost to Charleston Southern by a score of 58-57 in the game prior to UNCA, but they did beat Longwood and Gardner-Webb before that. The Highlanders are scoring 72.5 points per game with 34.1 rebounds per game and 11.3 assists per game, while allowing 71.7 points against per game this year. DaQuan Smith is averaging 15.1 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game. Radford is shooting 46.3% from the field, 73.9% on free throws, and 37.4% on three pointers this season.
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South Carolina Upstate Preview
The South Carolina Upstate Spartans are 10-19 (5-11) this season after they defeated Presbyterian by a score of 74-72 in their last game. South Carolina Upstate led 39-30 at halftime, but they were out scored 42-35 in the second half in the win. The Spartans shot 49.2% from the field and were +2 in rebounding margin in the game. South Carolina Upstate had lost their previous three games against Winthrop, Charleston Southern, and Gardner Webb. The Spartans are scoring 71.4 points per game with 31.4 rebounds per game and 12.4 assists per game, while giving up 73.1 points against per game this season. Trae Broadnax is averaging 14.4 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game. South Carolina Upstate is shooting 44.6% from the field, 64.8% on free throws, and 33.6% on three pointers this year.
Radford vs South Carolina Upstate Betting Prediction
These teams finished tied for last in the Big South standings, but one team will move one game closer to the NCAA Tournament with a win here. South Carolina Upstate has lost three of their last four games, while Radford is on a two game losing streak. Both teams won at home in the first two meetings this season, with Radford winning 64-61 and South Carolina Upstate winning 78-69. Both of these teams have played pretty poorly this season and I think either team could get the win here, so I will take the points with South Carolina Upstate.
