The South Carolina Upstate Spartans are in desperate need of a quality win to boost their tournament resume, currently sitting with a 0-2 record in Quad 1 games, 0-3 in Quad 2, and 1-3 in Quad 3 contests, with their only notable wins coming against lower-tier opponents. With a NET ranking of 284, they face an uphill battle to improve their postseason chances. Meanwhile, the High Point Panthers, boasting a 22-4 record and a NET ranking of 81, are looking to solidify their position with a strong road win, having already secured a 16-0 record in Quad 4 games. The Panthers' recent 5-game win streak, including victories over conference foes, has them poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
High Point Panthers' 83.1 Points Per Game Average Leads the Big South Conference
The game is scheduled for February 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET, and will be held at the G.B. Hodge Center, the home court of the South Carolina Upstate Spartans. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+, providing fans with an opportunity to witness the clash between these two Big South Conference opponents.
The High Point Panthers have been on a tear, with their 22-4 overall record and 10-1 conference mark making them a formidable force in the Big South. Their impressive NET ranking of 81 is a reflection of their strength, with a quad record of 0-2 in Quad 2 games and 3-2 in Quad 3 contests. The Panthers' recent 5-game win streak has seen them outscore their opponents by an average of 12.4 points per game, with their high-powered offense averaging 83.1 points per contest. With their strong conference record, the Panthers are well-positioned to secure a top seed in the conference tournament.
Key Matchups
The South Carolina Upstate Spartans, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency, with an 11-14 overall record and a 3-7 mark in conference play. Their NET ranking of 284 reflects their difficulties, particularly in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, where they have a combined 0-5 record. The Spartans' recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of 2-3 in their last 5 games, including a 75-68 loss to conference foe Campbell. Despite this, they have shown flashes of brilliance, with an average of 74.2 points per game in their last 5 contests.
The matchup between the High Point Panthers and the South Carolina Upstate Spartans will be a clash of styles, with the Panthers' high-powered offense facing off against the Spartans' stingy defense. The Panthers average 83.1 points per game, while the Spartans allow an average of 73.5 points per contest. The Spartans must find a way to slow down the Panthers' offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, with an average of 86.4 points per game in their last 5 contests. The Panthers, on the other hand, want to exploit the Spartans' weaknesses on the defensive end, where they have allowed an average of 78.2 points per game in their last 5 contests.
CHD Scout Prediction
High Point
85
South Carolina Upstate
68
For the High Point Panthers, guard John-Michael Wright has been on a tear, averaging 22.1 points per game over his last 5 contests, including a 30-point outburst against conference foe Radford. Meanwhile, forward Zach Austin has been a force on the glass, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game over the same span. For the South Carolina Upstate Spartans, guard Jordan Gainey has been a bright spot, averaging 18.3 points per game over his last 5 contests, including a 25-point performance against conference foe Campbell.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction has the High Point Panthers emerging victorious, with a predicted score of 85-68 and a win probability of 91.9% for the Panthers. This prediction is based on the Panthers' strong recent form and their significant advantage in terms of NET ranking and quad record. The Panthers' 17.3-point margin of victory is reflective of their dominance on the court, with an average margin of victory of 14.1 points per game in their last 5 contests.
A win for the High Point Panthers would further solidify their position in the tournament field, with their NET ranking of 81 and quad record of 0-2 in Quad 2 games and 3-2 in Quad 3 contests making them a strong candidate for an at-large bid. Meanwhile, a loss for the South Carolina Upstate Spartans would dealt a significant blow to their already slim tournament hopes, with their NET ranking of 284 and quad record of 0-2 in Quad 1 games and 0-3 in Quad 2 contests making it difficult for them to make a case for an at-large bid.