Follow the USC Upstate men’s and women’s basketball teams throughout the 2026 Air Force Reserve Big South Basketball Championship on our Tourney Central site. This page will be updated throughout the tournament. This year’s tournament will be held at Freedom Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
 
BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Brackets, Seating Charts, and more: CLICK HERE

Ticket information:  Ticket information may be found at the Big South Tournament Central website.  Single session and tournament books are available. Upstate Athletic Fund donors should contact Maddi Currier at CURRIERM@uscupstate.edu in advance.

#SpartanArmy Fan Gathering Information |  BURG’r & BARRELL, Johnson City

Join other Spartans at the Big South at BURG’r & BARRELL located in the historic depot in downtown Johnson City. The first #SpartanArmy gathering event will be Thursday, March 5 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm with additional events added as the tournament progresses.

 




Women’s Basketball
March 4, 2026; 5:00 p.m. | First Round


Matchup
(8) USC Upstate (11-19; 6-10 Big South) vs. (9) Presbyterian (3-26; 1-15 Big South)
TV: ESPN+

Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM


Storyline
Entering the Air Force Reserve Big South Women’s Basketball Championship sporting a four-game winning streak in games played away from the G.B. Hodge Center, Upstate faces the foe that began the four-game winning streak as it meets Presbyterian Wednesday afternoon. The Spartans won both meetings with the Blue Hose during the regular season, winning 58-38 on Jan. 14, 2026, and 70-63 on Feb. 4, 2026.


Last Time Out
USC Upstate
W, 55-50 vs. HPU
Presbyterian
L, 89-57 vs. LWU


Preview
All-Big South Awards

 




Men’s Basketball
March 4, 2026; 7:30 p.m. | First Round


Matchup
(8) USC Upstate (13-18; 5-11 Big South) vs. (9) Gardner-Webb (3-28; 1-15 Big South)
TV: ESPN+

Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM


Storyline
Opening the Air Force Reserve Big South Men’s Basketball Championship, Upstate begins the postseason facing the same opponent it faced in the regular season finale, Gardner-Webb. The two sides split the season series in 2025-26, each winning on their home floor: the Runnin’ Bulldogs won 67-65 on Jan. 23, 2026, and the Spartans won 71-61 on Feb. 28, 2026.


Last Time Out
USC Upstate
W, 71-61 vs. GWU
Gardner-Webb
L, 71-61 vs. GWU


Preview
All-Big South Awards

Connect with the Spartans

Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 

Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 

Instagram | @Upstate_MBB | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 

YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS – Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!