USC Upstate Spartans
2021-2022 Record: 15-17, 10-6 in the Big South
Head coach: Dave Dickerson
Tenure at USC Upstate: 5th Year
Career coaching record: 107-165
Home court: G.B. Hodge Center
Starters: G Jordan Gainey, G Mysta Goodloe, G/F Nick Alves, F Khydarius Smith, F Ahmir Langlais
Bench: G Jalen Brezeale, G Andrew McConnell, G Floyd Rideau Jr., G/F Che Evans Jr., F Seny N’Diaye
USC Upstate is coming off of one of its more successful seasons, setting a program record for Big South victories in a single season with 10. The Spartans were the No. 4 seed in the Big South tournament and advanced to the semifinals, two wins away from clinching an NCAA tournament bid. The Spartans did earn a trip to The Basketball Classic, representing their first postseason appearance since the 2016-2017 season.
Dickerson has this team going in the right direction, but USC Upstate will need to replace three key starters from last year's team. Fortunately for the Spartans, they have the depth to do this, with the possibility of three seniors in the starting lineup in 2022-23. In addition, the Spartans nabbed three Division I transfers and recruited two talented freshman guards from upstate South Carolina. However, outside of senior forward Khydarius Smith, no player over 6-foot-8 has any starting experience, with most of them having played sparingly last season.
Team ceiling: Strong guard play is essential in college basketball, and this team has it. The Spartans have the potential for another top-five standing in the Big South. After a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals of the conference tournament a season ago, this team competes in the tournament once again.
Team floor: The Spartans’ lack of size gives them trouble in Big South play. Although they have a veteran group, these players do not have much starting experience. They could finish in the bottom half of the conference and have an early exit in the Big South tournament.
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Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity sophomore and an assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.