NORFOLK, Va. - The top of the league standings will either get muddier or more clear this weekend as the Norfolk State men's basketball team travels to the state of North Carolina for two games. Up first, NSU takes on North Carolina A&T on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Corbett Sports Center.

NSU owns first place in the MEAC at 6-0. North Carolina A&T is second at 6-1. Monday's opponent for the Spartans, North Carolina Central, is 4-2 and in third.

Media Coverage
The games will be broadcast live on Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon on the call. The audio feed is available through www.TuneIn.com or the TuneIn Radio App (search for "WNSB"). Saturday's game can also be seen through A&T's website.

Monday's game will be shown live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. at McDougald-McLendon Arena, the second game on the channel in as many weeks for the Spartans, with Derek Jones and Sydney Johnson on the call. It can also be seen through the ESPN app. Live stats will be available through N.C. Central's website.

Series History
North Carolina A&T has played NSU the closest over the years, as NSU's lead is now 26-22 in a series that dates back to 1962. The Spartans won the only meeting last year in Norfolk, 76-58. They had won six in a row before the Aggies claimed victories twice in the 2017-18 season.

The Spartans won last year's regular season meeting over North Carolina Central in overtime, 75-71, at home. But the Eagles prevailed in the MEAC Championship game, 50-47. The Spartans still lead the all-time series 30-15, which includes 16 straight wins at the start. The Eagles have won four of the past five and eight of the last 11.

Scouting the Opponent
The Aggies are currently riding a 20-game home MEAC win streak, and they sit 6-1 in the league as well as 10-12 overall this year. Their only league loss came on the road at Coppin State by four. They finished second in the regular season standings last year at 13-3.

Ronald Jackson leads the way with 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for a team that scores 71 each time out. Only two players average double figures, but five score between seven and nine points per game. Fred Cleveland (10.3 points) is the other player in double figures. Kameron Langley averages 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He is coming off a triple-double of 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds on Monday in a home win over Delaware State.

A&T forces 16 turnovers per game and is either first or second in the league in field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense, rebounds, steals and blocks.

The Eagles stand 8-12 overall heading into the weekend, and at 4-2 are the only other team besides NSU and A&T with less than three conference losses. Like NSU, NCCU plays well on defense, allowing just 65 points and forcing 18.5 turnovers per game.

On offense, the Eagles shoot 45 percent from the floor but average just 67 points per game. Jibri Blount is one of the league's top players with 20.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.8 assists per game. CJ Keyser is the next top active scorer at 7.6 points. Ty Graves and Jordan Perkins are each at 6.8.

Last Time Out
NSU won its 17th straight game over Florida A&M, leading by as much as 34 in a 95-67 win over the Rattlers on Monday at Joseph Echols Hall. The Spartans shot 60 percent for the game (35-of-58), including 8-of-16 from deep. Jermaine Bishop made 8-of-12 from the floor for a 20-point night. Joe Bryant contributed 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Spartans were +9 on the glass and outscored FAMU a season-high 50-30 in points in the paint and 22-8 in fastbreak points. The Rattlers had four players in double figures after shooting 55 percent in the second half. Rod Melton (14 points) and MJ Randolph (13 points, 6 rebounds) led the way.

Recent Trends
 • Norfolk State is now one of 14 teams in the nation still undefeated in conference play, joining Dayton (A-10), Baylor (Big 12), Seton Hall (Big East), Winthrop (Big South), Princeton, Yale, and Harvard (Ivy), San Diego State (Mountain West), Murray State and Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), LSU (SEC), Gonzaga (WCC) and New Mexico State (WAC).
 • Of those schools, only Dayton, Baylor, Princeton, Yale, Gonzaga and NSU are undefeated on both the men's and women's sides.
 • NSU is 6-0 in the MEAC for the fourth time ever. The Spartans went 16-0 in 2012-13, and they started the 2011-12 and 2018-19 seasons 8-0 in the MEAC. Norfolk State owns a 20-2 conference record over the last two years.
 • NSU shot 60% against Florida A&M, the first time reaching that plateau in five years and the 13th time overall as a Division I program. The Spartans last did so on March 17, 2015 at Eastern Kentucky.
 • NSU's scoring margin of +5.6 is on pace to be its best in its Division I era, topping last year's mark of +4.1. Its current scoring defense of 64.6 and field goal % defense of 40.1 are on pace to be the second-bests in the D-I era behind 2004-05 (61.7, 39.0). In addition, the team's 29.7 3-point field goal % defense is currently third, and its 70.9 free throw shooting percentage is the fourth-best.
 • The Spartans are averaging 8.3 3-pointers during the last 7 games. In the last 6 games, opponents have shot just 26.4 percent from deep (32-of-121).
 • The Spartans are a total +45 on the glass over the last 6 games (+7.5 per game).
 • NSU has outscored opponents in points off turnovers in nine of the last 12. NSU has had fewer turnovers than the opposition in six of the last seven games. The Spartans have outscored opponents in second-chance points in seven of the last nine games, averaging 11.9 points during that time.
 • The Spartans are outscoring teams in every specialty stat category: points off turnovers (17.3-14.0), second-chance points (10.4-8.9), points in the paint (28.2-25.0), fastbreak points (10.3-7.8), and bench points (23.5-18.4).
 • The Spartans have shot 73.3 percent (170-of-232) from the free throw line the last 13 contests.
 • The guard foursome of Bishop, Bryant, Whitley and Carter have combined for 52 of the team's 62 double-digit scoring performances this year.
 • NSU has used nine different starting lineups this year, including seven different lineups during an eight-game span from Dec. 1-Jan. 4.
 • In 16 of the Spartans' 21 games this year, they have scored the same amount or more points in the second half than the first (+5.1 points per second half). They did the same in 28 of 36 games last year, when they averaged 8.1 points more in second halves than first halves. Opponents have done the same in 15 of 21 games this year, including each of the last 11.
 • The Spartans also shoot better in second halves (44.2-40.7) and have a better turnover margin as well (+1.3 - +0.3). Opponents shoot better in second halves too (42.6-37.5).
 • The Spartans have also had the same amount or more fouls than the opposition in 15 of 21 games this season (+1.7 in fouls per game). They did the same in 26 of 36 games last year (+2.2).

MEAC Rankings
The Spartans rank 1st in the MEAC in scoring defense (64.6), scoring margin (+5.6), and field goal % defense (40.1). They are also second in opponent rebounding (34.3), rebounding margin (+2.5), turnover margin (+1.62), assist-turnover ratio (0.9), defensive rebound % (71.8), offensive rebound % (32.0) and 3-pointers (7.4), and third in free throw % (70.9), 3-point field goal % (33.0), 3-point field goal % defense (29.7), assists (13.1), and offensive rebounds (11.4).

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands No. 35 in 3-point field goal % defense (29.7), No. 45 in turnovers forced (15.95), No. 58 in field goal % defense (40.1), No. 64 in scoring defense (64.6), No. 71 in steals (7.7), No. 76 in offensive rebounds (11.43), No. 82 in turnover margin (+1.7), No. 108 in scoring margin (+5.6), No. 117 in rebound margin (+2.5), and No. 124 in rebounds per game (36.81).

Conference Domination
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Norfolk State is 107-27 in regular season MEAC play, a 79.9 winning percentage. Among all D-I programs, NSU ranks eighth in the nation in conference winning percentage during that time.

At 107-27 (57-11 at home - 32-4 since the start of the 2015-16 season - and 50-16 on the road), NSU is ahead of North Carolina Central (99-35) for the best record in the league since 2011. Counting MEAC tournament games, the Spartans are 119-34, while the Eagles are 115-39 during that time.

NSU also owns a 166-129 overall record since the start of the 2011-12 season, second in the conference to North Carolina Central (175-110).

Series Edge
NSU has a winning record against every school in the MEAC, with several of those series covering a lot of ground in the Division II era. The Spartans' closest rival over the years has been North Carolina A&T at 26-22.

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Ranks 8th all-time at NSU in assists (359) and assist average (4.08), and 15th in steals (132)
 • Stands 5th in the MEAC in assists (3.3), 5th in assist-turnover ratio (1.3), 13th in steals (1.3), and 19th in scoring (10.4)
 • Ranks 14th in NSU Division I season records in assist average (3.33)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 34 in steals (156), No. 45 in assists (396), No. 88 in games played (119), No. 146 in rebounds (514), and No. 235 in points (1,051)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Scored 20 points vs. Florida A&M, 9th career 20-point game and 5th of the season
 • Averaging 18.4 points last 7 games on 46-of-95 shooting, 28-of-56 from deep
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in 3-point field goals (2.9), 4th in 3-point field goal % (40.7), 6th in scoring (14.2), 7th in minutes (32.0), and 15th in assists (2.1)
 • Stands No. 31 in the nation in 3-point field goal % (40.7) and No. 38 in 3-point field goals (2.90)
 • Ranks 6th in NSU Division I season records and 14th in overall records in 3-point field goal % (40.7); 12th in D-I records in 3-pointers (61)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 382 in 3-point field goals (105)

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Averaging 3.2 assists last 6 games
 • Grabbed season-best 6 rebounds against South Carolina State
 • Made his 1st 20 free throws of the season and 46 out of 48 so far (95.8%); Does not have enough attempts to qualify nationally; National leader is at 95.4%
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in free throw % (95.8), 6th in steals (1.6), 9th in 3-point field goals (1.6), 12th in scoring (12.5), and 13th in 3-point field goal % (33.0),
 • Stands No. 145 in the nation in steals (1.60)

Devante Carter
 • Averaging 6.3 rebounds last 4 games
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in field goal % (51.3), 4th in steals (1.9), 8th in assists (2.9), 14th in defensive rebounds (4.2), 15th in rebounding (5.3), and 29th in scoring (8.8)
 • Stands No. 63 in the nation in steals (1.89)

Chris Ford
 • Grabbed career-high 9 rebounds in career-best 28 minutes against South Carolina State, scoring 10 points for 2nd-ever double-digit scoring game
 • Ranks 6th in the MEAC in blocks (1.2)
 • Stands No. 158 in the nation in blocks (1.19)

Kashaun Hicks
 • Averaging 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds last 9 games on 18-of-36 shooting, 10-of-22 from deep

Yoro Sidibe
 • Averaging 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds last 3 games
 • Blocked career-high 3 shots vs. South Carolina State
 • Ranks 10th in the MEAC in offensive rebounds (1.9)

Efstratios Kalogerias
 • Tied career-best with 2 steals vs. Florida A&M

Tyrese Jenkins
 • Has tallied career highs of 5 rebounds (Florida A&M), 3 assists (Coppin State) and 2 steals (Stony Brook)

Nyzaiah Chambers
 • Shot career-best 4-of-4 from the floor for 8 points vs. Florida A&M