Preview: Winthrop Eagles at South Carolina Upstate Spartans

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — A pair of Big South Conference men’s basketball teams trending in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Winthrop Eagles visit the South Carolina Upstate Spartans at the G.B. Hodge Center.

The Eagles (10-8) have won three straight, including an 81-77 home victory over Charleston Southern on Wednesday, to climb above .500. The Spartans (8-9), meanwhile, have dropped three consecutive games, most recently an 86-77 loss at Presbyterian on Jan. 3.

Winthrop’s surge has been fueled by the dominant play of forward Logan Duncomb. Over his last seven games, Duncomb is averaging 21.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest. He scored 26 points in 18 minutes against Charleston Southern and poured in 31 points with 13 rebounds in a loss at Longwood on Dec. 31. His efficiency and scoring punch inside present a major challenge for the Spartans’ defense.

South Carolina Upstate will counter with guard Learic Davis, who leads the team in scoring during its current skid. Davis posted 18 points and four rebounds in the loss to Presbyterian. Consistency has been an issue for the Spartans, who followed a three-game winning streak in mid-December with their current three-game slide.

The Eagles have shown a high-powered offense, scoring 88 or more points in four of their last six wins. The Spartans have struggled to keep pace offensively in conference play, failing to reach 70 points in their last two outings.

Historically, this matchup has been closely contested. Saturday’s game is the first of two scheduled meetings this season, with the rematch set for Feb. 19 in Rock Hill, S.C.

A Winthrop victory would solidify its position in the upper tier of the Big South standings early in the conference schedule. For South Carolina Upstate, protecting its home court is crucial to halt its losing streak and regain momentum.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Spartanburg.