Friday
NSU at Rhode Island, 7:30 p.m., Thomas M. Ryan Center
Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Video | TV: Ocean State Networks
NORFOLK, Va. - Following NSU's first-ever MEAC title and the program's most defining win ever, an 86-84 upset of No. 2 seed Missouri in the NCAA tournament, the new-look Norfolk State men's basketball team will turn a new page this Friday at Rhode Island as part of the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.
NSU's 2012-13 season opener gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at URI's Thomas M. Ryan Center. Both this contest and Monday's game at Seton Hall are part of the Hall of Fame tournament, which concludes Nov. 17 and 18 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Media Coverage: The game will be broadcast on the Ocean State Networks (ch. 5/1005 HD Cox in the Rhode Island area) and will also be streamed live through Cox Sports Online for a monthly subscription fee. Live stats will also be available.
Last Time Out: NSU hosted a Green vs. Gold scrimmage as part of the team's Spartan Madness on Oct. 23. As expected, Pendarvis Williams led all players with 22 points for Green, while Rob Johnson chipped in with 19. Rashid Gaston led Gold with 18 points in his unofficial collegiate debut. Jordan Weathers and Kievyn Lila-St. Rose also scored in double figures for Gold with 13 and 11, respectively.
More on NSU's Historic Win: Last March's bracket-busting upset of Missouri was just the fifth ever No. 15 over No. 2 upset in tournament history since it expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Lehigh made it six times just a few hours later after NSU's win on March 16, 2012.
The win, NSU's first ever over a ranked opponent, also marked the third time a MEAC school upset a No. 2 seed. Coppin State defeated South Carolina in 1997, and Hampton did the same against Iowa State in 2001. With a No. 3 national ranking, Missouri was the highest-ranked team ever to lose its opening game in the NCAA tournament since the field expanded to 64.
Coupled with Lehigh's win over Duke and No. 13 seed Ohio's victory over No. 4 Michigan, that day also marked the first time three teams seeded 13th or lower won on the same day and, of course, the first time two No. 15 seeds won on the same day, much less in the same year.
Preseason Prognostications: After losing a lot of productivity from last year, the conference's coaches and sports information directors still picked the Spartans to finish fourth in the preseason poll behind Savannah State, Morgan State and Delaware State. NSU even picked up a first-place vote.
Pendarvis Williams was one of five players to be named to the preseason All-MEAC first team. Last year's All-MEAC first team was comprised entirely of seniors.
New-Look Spartans: NSU had its most successful season ever last year in 15 years in Division I, finishing 26-10 overall and 13-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), both program records for the school's D-I era. NSU will have to reload this year, though, as the team lost four of its five starters from last year as well as one of its top reserves from off the bench.
All-together, NSU lost 64.2 percent of its scoring (1,594-of-2,482 points) and 57.6 percent of its rebounding (752-of-1,305 boards) from last year.
The Mighty O'Quinn: The biggest loss, of course, was MEAC Player of the Year and MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle O'Quinn. The Lou Henson Award winner as the nation's top mid-major player, O'Quinn did it all last year for the Spartans. He became the first player to sweep the MEAC player and defensive player awards in the same year.
He topped off his record-breaking year by being picked in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft.
O'Quinn's NBA Debut: Selected with the 49th overall pick in the Draft by the Orlando Magic, O'Quinn made his NBA debut on Nov. 2 against the Denver Nuggets, grabbing one rebound in a little more than three minutes of action. He scored his first career points two days later against the Phoenix Suns with a pair of free throws.
NSU's NBA History: Just getting drafted was an accomplishment for both O'Quinn and the Spartans. NSU had not had a player drafted since Lee Johnson in 1988, and the MEAC had not done so since Florida A&M's Jerome James in 1998. O'Quinn became just the fourth former Spartan ever to play in the NBA, joining Ray Epps, David Pope and four-time NBA all-star Bob Dandridge. Pope was the last to do so during the 1985-86 season with Seattle.
Welcome Newbies: Several newcomers could very well make an immediate impact with the Spartans in the early going, including juniors Malcolm Hawkins and Zieyik Estimè. Hawkins, who sat out last year after transferring from Delaware, will help NSU replace lost production at the wing. A more natural shooter, Estimè will complement Williams at the 2 guard spot.
Freshman Rashid Gaston has already proven to be a force down low in the post at 6-8, 235 pounds. A solid rebounder, Gaston should see plenty of playing time throughout the year as his offense continues to develop. Sophomore Paulius Vinogradovas will back up starting center Brandon Goode as well.
The Pendarvis Willliams Show: With O'Quinn gone along with second-team All-MEAC performer Chris McEachin, it is now Pendarvis Williams' time to lead the Spartans. He finished third on the team last with with 11.9 points per game. NSU lost five of its top seven scorers from a year ago. Along with Williams, Rob Johnson is expected to take a bigger role this year after finishing fifth on the team with 6.1 points.
Other Returnees Stepping Up: Along with Johnson and Williams, NSU will look to several other returnees to step up into bigger roles this year. Jamel Fuentes is expected to continue to split time at the point-guard position along with Williams in a role similar to last year, while Brandon Goode takes a big step into Kyle O'Quinn's shoes at the starting center spot.
Senior marksman Kris Brown gives NSU another capable scorer from long range, while juniors Jordan Weathers and Kievyn Lila-St. Rose will also have the opportunity to see their minutes increase at both shooting guard and on the wing. With O'Quinn and several other players now graduated, senior #A.J. Rogers and junior Riley Maye# will compete for playing time down low.
