Gun Culture And Society
Men’s Hoops Central: Presbyterian vs. USC Upstate
Men’s Hoops Central: Presbyterian vs. USC Upstate
📅
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Clinton, South Carolina
Game Information Presbyterian Blue Hose vs. USC Upstate Spartans Date: Saturday, January 3, at 2:00 p.m. Site: Clinton, S.C. (Templeton Center) Watch: ESPN+ Live Stats: GoBlueHose.com Tickets: BlueHoseTix.com
PRESBYTERIAN Record: 7-8, Big South: 0-0 Last Game: December 28, 2025 – Presbyterian 91, Truett McConnell 64 Head Coach: Quinton Ferrell (Presbyterian, 2007) Record at PC: 69-130 (7 th Season) Career Record: Same
USC UPSTATE Record: 8-8, Big South: 0-1 Last Game: December 31, 2025 – Radford 76, USC Upstate 69 Head Coach: Marty Richter (Simpson College, 1999) Record at USC Upstate: 14-34 (2nd Season) Career Record: 80-44 (4th Season)
LAST TIME OUT – Presbyterian finished non-conference play with a 91-64 win over Truett McConnell in the Templeton Center last Sunday. Redshirt senior forward Jonah Pierce paced the Blue Hose with another double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Triston Wilson scored 18 points and dished out six assists. Junior guard Carl Parrish chipped in with 16 points. Sophomore guard Josh Pickett rounded out Presbyterian's double-figure scorers with 14 points. Redshirt junior forward Jaylen Peterson nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds.
INSIDE THE STAT SHEET – Pierce leads the Blue Hose in scoring at 14.5 points per game. He also ranks first in the Big South and 45th in the nation in rebounding at 8.9 boards per game. Notably, Pierce is 17th in the nation with six double-doubles this season. Parrish, supporting the offense remarkably, is second on the team in scoring at 13.0 points per game, connecting on a team-high 36 three-point field goals this season. Ten players from PC have recorded at least one three-point field goal.
BIG SOUTH OPENER – While this matchup against USC Upstate marks the Big South Conference opener for the Blue Hose, they've shown a strong history of performances in these opening games. They have won their opening match for three consecutive seasons, including last year’s 68-60 victory over Longwood.
BLOCKED SHOTS – Chiakwelu recorded six blocked shots against Wofford earlier this season. This stat ties him for the highest single-game blocked shot total in the Presbyterian DI era, alongside Peterson, who similarly had a six-block game of his own.
NCAA RANKINGS – Impressively, Presbyterian ranks first in the Big South in scoring defense, allowing only 68.4 points per game. In terms of rebounding margin, they’re not far behind, seated first in the Big South and 65th in the nation, maintaining a margin of 6.2 rebounds more than opponents.
DOUBLE-DIGIT BOARDS – Jonah Pierce has been consistent when it comes to grabbing rebounds, racking up double figures on seven occasions this season. His standout performances include substantial 16-rebound games against Morehead State and substantial games against Navy and Wofford.
FIVE DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORERS – In a notable win against Morehead State, five PC players scored in double figures, an impressive feature not seen since December 18, 2024. This shows the team’s offensive depth, vital for the games ahead.
PC COACH QUINTON FERRELL – Quinton Ferrell holds the reins as he enters his seventh season at his alma mater. An exceptional leader, Ferrell's previous experiences as a player provide him with a nuanced understanding of his athlete's psyche and teamwork dynamics.
PRESBYTERIAN-USC UPSTATE SERIES – The matchup against USC Upstate marks the 40th face-off between these teams. Although USC Upstate leads the series, Presbyterian has shown resilience, winning their last two meetings in the Templeton Center. The on-court chemistry from recent games will certainly be put to the test in this upcoming encounter.
This game provides an excellent opportunity for Presbyterian to not only start the Big South Conference season with a win but to continue their strong play and capitalize on any momentum built from their previous win. Fans can expect an exhilarating game at the Templeton Center, where the Blue Hose will aim to utilize their home advantage against the tough USC Upstate Spartans. With solid statistics backing their performance, the potential for a significant victory seems within reach.
As Presbyterian kicks off its Big South Conference play against USC Upstate, the stakes are high in terms of leveraging their recent victories to set a strong tone for the season. With key players like Jonah Pierce showcasing their potential, the team must continue to capitalize on their scoring defense. Early reports suggest that a cohesive team effort will be crucial in overcoming a competitive USC Upstate squad that aims to shift momentum in their favor. Upcoming discussions in the community may center around Coach Ferrell's strategies moving forward, as the game will likely influence team standings significantly in the league.