Norfolk State Men's BasketballNORFOLK, Va. - With the non-conference schedule in the rearview mirror, the Norfolk State men's basketball team will get back to the comfort of MEAC play when the Spartans host Florida A&M on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for approximately 6 p.m. at Joseph Echols Hall or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
Media CoverageThe game will be broadcast live on Star 1310 AM as well as Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon and Aaron Clark on the call. Live audio is available through
www.star1310.com as well as
hot91.nsu.edu:8000/128. Both feeds are available on smartphones through the Star 1310 website or through
www.TuneIn.com or the TuneIn Radio App (search for "WNSB") for Hot 91.1.
Fans can also follow along with the
live stats and the
live video feed. The live video feed also carries the radio broadcast.
Series HistoryNSU is riding an 11-game win streak over the Rattlers, which includes the last five in Norfolk, while the Spartans also own a 16-9 overall record against FAMU. The Rattlers last defeated the Spartans on Jan. 6, 2007, an 81-71 victory in Tallahassee, Fla.
About Florida A&MThe Rattlers won just two games last year, both in MEAC play, but FAMU comes into Saturday's game holding a 5-10 overall record and a 1-1 MEAC mark. Most recently on Tuesday, FAMU downed Savannah State at home, 61-58, despite shooting just 38 percent for the game. Craig Bowman had 15, while the team's leading scorer, Malcolm Bernard, added 13. Bernard averages 12.3 points and a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game, with Justin Ravenal the next leading scorer at 9.1 points. Ravenal is the team's top threat from beyond the arc, where FAMU only shoots 29 percent. The Rattlers also hit 40 percent overall and less than 60 percent from the foul line while averaging 63 points per game. They have also turned the ball over exactly 16.0 times per game and tally less than two blocks each contest. Opposing teams average 73 points per game while shooting almost 46 percent from the floor.
Last Time OutNSU made a late run against Princeton, scoring 15 straight near the end of the game, but the Tiger lead proved too much in an 83-74 loss for NSU on Tuesday night at Joseph Echols Hall. The Tigers led by 22 before NSU's late run, but Princeton iced the game with six free throws at the end. The Spartans fell despite hitting 48.3 percent from the floor (28-of-58, exactly 14-of-29 in each half). Princeton sank 10 3-pointers and was led by Henry Caruso with 16 points. NSU got big games from seniors
Charles Oliver and
D'Shon Taylor. Both rebounded after struggling lately, with Oliver tallyin 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and Taylor adding 18 on 8-of-13 from the floor.
Jordan Butler finished with six points and a game-high nine rebounds. NSU also held a 7-1 edge in blocks.
Player TidbitsJeff Short• Needs 87 points to reach 1,000 for his NSU career; Attempting to become 35th all-time 1,000-point scorer at NSU and the seventh to do so in two years (Ralph Tally, David Pope, James Grant, Damian Woolfolk, Corey Williams, Marcus Whitfield)
 • Reached the 1,000-point plateau (combined NSU and Fordham) with his 22-point outing at Evansville
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (40.3), scoring (16.6) and free throw % (82.4), 9th in 3-point field goals (1.9) and 15th in field goal % (42.1) and defensive rebounds (3.8); Sits 130th in the nation in free throw % (82.4) and 152nd in points per game (16.6)
 • Stands 74th in NCAA D-I in career scoring average (12.9) and 129th in points (1,095)
 • Ranks 7th in NSU career records in 3-point field goal percentage (.397), 13th in 3-point field goals (100) and 15th in 3-point field goal attempts (252)
 • Averaging 2.7 assists last 6 games and 5.2 rebounds last 5 games
 • Has scored in double figures in six straight games
D'Shon Taylor • Ranks 6th in the MEAC in free throw % (80.8), 12th in field goal % (45.5), 14th in 3-point field goal % (35.4) and 18th in scoring (12.1); Also sits 171st in the nation in free throw % (80.8)
 • Ranks 17th in NSU career records in 3-point field goal % (.354) and 19th in 3-point field goals (67) and 3-point field goal attempts (189)
Charles Oliver • 44-of-51 in free throws over the last 11 games
 • 4th career 20-point game (all at NSU) with 21 vs. Princeton
 • Ranks 5th in the MEAC in free throw % (81.7), 11th in 3-point field goals (1.8) and 16th in scoring (12.3); Sits 145th in the nation in free throw % (81.7)
Zaynah Robinson • 34-4 assist-turnover ratio last 13 games
 • Tied career high with 4 steals vs. Princeton
 • Ranks 2nd in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (41.5), 7th in steals (1.4) and 12th in assists (2.8)
Jordan Butler • Averaging 6.8 points and 9.0 rebounds last 5 games
 • Ranks 2nd in the MEAC in blocks (2.2), 8th in rebounds (7.0), and 9th in defensive rebounds (4.6) and offensive rebounds (2.4); Also stands 37th in the nation in blocks (2.19), 204th in rebounds (7.0) and 206th in offensive rebounds (2.38)
 • Ranks 13th in NSU career records in blocks (71)
Preston Bungei • 19-of-23 from the free throw line last 9 games
 • 3.0 blocks last 2 games
 • Ranks 9th in the MEAC in blocks (1.0)
Good from the LineNSU, which ranked 282nd in the nation last year in free throw percentage, has improved its mark from 65.9 to 76.9 percent this season, which currently ranks seventh in the nation. The Spartans are attempting to hit better than 70 percent this year for the first time since the 2003-04 season. The school record stands at 72.3 set in 1968-69. NSU has now hit 138-of-171 (80.7 percent) over the last nine games. In addition, the Spartans have shot 76-of-91 (83.5 percent) in the last five minutes of its games this year.
Good Shootin'So far this year, Norfolk State is hitting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc with 113 total treys, a year after making 190 for the second-most ever in a season in program history. NSU's current clip from long range ranks 63rd in the nation. The school's Division I record stands at 35.7 percent set in 1998-99.
Better in the 2ndNSU has scored more points in the second half than the first in 12 of 16 games this season. The Spartans are averaging 37.6 points after halftime but just 31.3 before the intermission. On the year, the Spartans are shooting 39.4 from 3-point range in the second but 35.5 in the first half, and NSU has also shot 167-of-210 (79.5 percent) from the free throw line after intermission but just 96-of-132 (72.7 percent) beforehand. The Spartans also have a -2.0 rebound margin in the first half and a +1.8 margin in the second half.
MEAC RankingsThe Spartans continue to lead the league in 3-point field goal percentage (37.5), with the second highest team at 32.8. NSU also ranks first in free throw percentage (76.9), second in 3-pointers per game (7.1), opponent rebounding (34.6) and blocks (4.3) and third in scoring defense (74.3) and rebounding margin (-0.2).
Best in the ConferenceSince the start of the 2011-12 season, NSU is 53-12 in regular season conference play (25-7 at home, 28-5 on the road), second in the MEAC over that period of time behind North Carolina Central (57-9). Counting MEAC tournament games, the Spartans are 59-15, while the Eagles are 62-12 during that time.
Limit Those GiveawaysThe Spartans on the season are averaging 12.6 turnovers per contest. The school record for fewest giveaways per game is 13.1 set in 1987-88. NSU has committed just 9.8 turnovers the last four games. NSU had six against Princeton, tied for the fewest in a game over the last two seasons.
Block PartyNSU ranks 95th in the nation with 4.3 blocks per game. The top 4 seasons in NSU history in terms of total blocks have all come within the last five years. The Spartans have averaged 161.0 blocks per season over those last five years and currently have 69 for this season.
