2015 Paradise Jam, U.S. Virgin Islands

NSU vs. Indiana State	Friday, Nov. 20	8:30 p.m. EST	Sports & Fitness Center
NSU vs. Ohio/Tulsa	Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 21/22	4/6:30 p.m.	Sports & Fitness Center
NSU vs. TBD	Monday, Nov. 23	TBD	Sports & Fitness Center
	Live Video	Live Stats	Game Notes (Indiana State)

NORFOLK, Va. - A trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands is in store for the Norfolk State men's basketball team as the Spartans get set to take part in the 2015 Paradise Jam beginning on Friday against Indiana State. NSU will face the Sycamores at 8:30 p.m. EST from the Sports & Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas.

The Spartans will take on either Ohio or Tulsa in the next round of the tournament either Saturday (with a loss) or Sunday (with a win) based on Friday's result.

Media Coverage
The game will be streamed live through www.paradisejam.com or Youtube.com/tgvntv. Fans can also follow along with the live stats at www.paradisejamstats.com.

Series History
This will mark the first-ever meeting between NSU and Indiana State, the third straight game to start the season that the Spartans will face an opponent for the first time.

About Indiana State
The Sycamores opened up the year 1-1 after dropping a 72-70 contest against IUPUI and then defeating Wyoming 70-55 on Monday, both at home. Devonte Brown has been a big plus for Indiana State, as he has tallied 20.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.5 blocks and 2.0 steals in those two games. Khristian Smith has been the only other double-digit scorer so far with 12.5 points to go with a team-best 9.5 boards. The Sycamores have shot nearly 40 percent from the field but only 23.9 percent (11-of-46) from 3-point range. Indiana State holds a +6.5 rebounding margin and has averaged 8.0 steals in its first two games this year.

Last Time Out
Led by a career night from Jordan Butler, NSU defeated Washington Adventist of the NAIA, 85-65, on Tuesday night at Joseph Echols Hall. Butler totaled 19 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks, all career bests, as NSU improved to 1-1 on the year. Butler hit 6-of-11 from the floor, while Jeff Short shot 7-of-16 for a game-high 20 points. The Shock were within nine late in the first half before NSU went into the break up by 11. The Spartans scored nine straight to open the second half and were never threatened again. Charles Oliver added 11 points, and D'Shon Taylor contributed 10 points and seven boards.

NSU in the Paradise Jam
The Spartans are just one of two teams at this year's Paradise Jam making a return trip along with DePaul (2009). Norfolk State lost all three of its games during its first appearance in 2005. But then in 2011, NSU downed Drexel and then TCU to reach the final. After losing by 31 to Marquette earlier that year, the Spartans fell by just two, 59-57, to the No. 16/17 Golden Eagles in the Paradise Jam final.

Player Tidbits
Jeff Short
 • Owns a streak of 31 straight games in double figures in scoring
 • 16th career 20-point game with 20 against Washington Adventist
 • Ranks 8th in NSU career records in 3-point field goal percentage (.391), 17th in 3-point field goals (72) and 18th in 3-point field goal attempts (184)

Jordan Butler
 • Career highs of 19 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 7-of-7 free throws and 37 minutes against Washington Adventist
 • 1st NSU player in two years since Brandon Goode to tally 6 blocks in a game and just 2 off the school record

Nice Debut
Looking for a third scorer to complement returning players Jeff Short and D'Shon Taylor, NSU may have found that option with redshirt senior Charles Oliver. The transfer from Robert Morris posted a career-high 21 points at South Carolina, hitting a personal-best 5-of-10 from 3-point range. Another potential third scorer, junior Jonathan Wade, shot 3-of-5 overall for 10 points in his Spartan debut as well.

Good Shootin'
Norfolk State made 11 3-pointers at South Carolina, tied for the fifth-most in a game in school history and two off the school record of 13. NSU's 28 attempts are tied for the fourth-most in a game. In addition, the Spartans also hit 20-of-23 (87.0 percent) from the free throw line, one of the top 15 best marks ever in Division I history for a single game.

So Far So Good
NSU, which ranked 282nd in the nation last year in free throw percentage, has improved its mark from 65.9 to 80.0 percent this season. The Spartans are attempting to hit better than 70 percent this year for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Get Used to This
Tuesday's game against Washington Adventist at home was the first of just two home games for the Spartans in the early part of the year. NSU will play 13 of the season's first 15 games on the road.

As Good as Last Time
NSU is hoping its tournament results go as good as last year, when the Spartans defeated St. Francis Brooklyn and Saint Peter's to win the Saint Peter's division of the Barclays Center Classic. The Spartans have won five straight games in in-season tournaments dating back to 2013-14.