NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State will play its last home game this Friday before the start of MEAC play when the Spartan men's basketball team hosts UNC Wilmington. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Joseph Echols Hall.
With two non-conference games left on the docket right now, NSU will look to improve on its 3-2 record. The Spartans compete at George Mason on Dec. 26, a game that was announced this week, before conference play begins right after New Year's Day.
Media Coverage
The game will be shown live through
Spartan Showcase Video Streaming, with Ross Gordon on the call. Fans can also follow along with the
live stats.
Series History
This will mark the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Scouting the Opponent
UNC Wilmington is coming off a 78-58 loss at Ole Miss last Saturday, a game in which the Seahawks fell behind by 20 at the half but played the Rebels even in the second half. Troy and UNC Asheville have fallen victims to the Seahawks this year as part of their 3-3 overall record. They score nearly 80 points per game, with Jaylen Sims taking care of business to the tune of 24.2 points per game, which ranks in the top 10 nationally. Ty Gadsden (16.2 points) is one of five players in double figures along with Mike Okauru (12.3 points), Jake Boggs (10.8) and Joe Pridgen (10.7). UNCW shoots 39 percent from beyond the arc, 47 percent overall, while averaging nearly nine 3-pointers per game.
Last Time Out
Norfolk State held a three-point lead at the half, but UNC Greensboro outscored the Spartans by 20 in the second half in a 64-47 win over NSU on Sunday afternoon at Greensboro Coliseum. The Spartans got 14 points each from
Devante Carter and
J.J. Matthews, and Carter also had a career-high 12 rebounds. NSU held UNCG to 36 percent shooting. UNCG, however, held a 47-34 edge in rebounding and was +10 on the offensive glass. Those Spartans got 17 points, six rebounds and five assists from Isaiah Miller and 16 points and 10 boards from Kaleb Hunter.
Quick Hits
• Norfolk State's defense continues to play tough. The Spartans now rank 23rd in the nation in field goal percentage defense (36.3) and 39th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.7). They sit first in the MEAC in scoring defense (67.0), field goal percentage defense, rebounds (35.0) and defensive rebound percentage (70.4).
• So far this year, four of NSU's five opponents have been held to less than 40 percent overall shooting. No team has shot better than 32 percent from deep in any game as well.
• On the other side, NSU currently sits 21st in the nation in 3-point shooting at 41.5 percent. A big reason for that is sophomore
Daryl Anderson, who is fifth nationally in individual 3-point shooting at 66.7 percent (14-of-21).
• The win over Hampton this year marked the fifth time in the past six games NSU has taken the Battle of the Bay at home.
• This year was the first time NSU defeated three in-state D-I opponents (JMU, Radford, Hampton) in the same season since the Spartans moved to D-I in 1997-98.
Fan Attendance Update
Until further notice, NSU will not have fans in the stands. Echols Hall will be restricted to the team travel parties, essential personnel, media and a limited number of family members due to Governor Ralph Northam's Amendment to the Executive Order 67 that limited attendees at sports venues to 250 people.
The Norfolk State Athletics Department will sell season streaming packages through its website on Spartan Showcase Video Streaming for $50, covering both men's and women's home games. Individual game passes are also available for $10 per game. Fans can purchase cutouts through the NSU Ticket Office for $50 that will be displayed throughout the arena.
Winning the State
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, NSU has the fourth-most wins (175) among the 14 Division I schools in the state of Virginia. The Spartans trail Virginia (249), VCU (225) and Old Dominion (182).
Good from 3
Norfolk State has made a 3-pointer in 354 straight games, dating back to a contest at South Carolina State on Jan. 25, 2010, when NSU finished 0-of-17 from 3-point range.
