TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Now alone in first place in the MEAC, the Norfolk State men's basketball team heads to the state of Florida for a pair of games in the Sunshine State this weekend. Up first, the Spartans take on Florida A&M on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Al Lawson Center.

NSU currently sits 9-2 in the MEAC, a half game ahead of North Carolina A&T (9-3) and a full game ahead of North Carolina Central (8-3). The Spartans finish the trip on Monday at Bethune-Cookman at 7:30 p.m. at Moore Gymnasium. They close the regular season with four of five games on the road beginning with Saturday's game at FAMU.

Media Coverage
The games will be broadcast live on Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon. The audio feed is available through www.TuneIn.com or the TuneIn Radio App (search for "WNSB").

For Saturday, fans can also follow along with the live stats and the live video feed. Live Stats are also available for Monday's game.

Series History
The win streak is now 17 for NSU over Florida A&M after a win earlier this year at home, 95-67, and the streak dates back more than a decade. The Spartans last lost to the Rattlers during the 2006-07 season. After FAMU raced out to the series edge when NSU moved to Division I, the Spartans are now on top by a 22-9 margin all-time.

Norfolk State has the all-time edge over Bethune-Cookman, 23-14, which includes a win to start MEAC play this year, 85-72 at Echols Hall on Jan. 4. The Wildcats won last year's meeting in Daytona Beach, 84-76, but the Spartans have won four of the last five now.

Scouting the Opponents
Florida A&M sits 8-5 in the MEAC, falling in its last game on Monday at Maryland Eastern Shore, 81-71. That broke a four-game win streak for the Rattlers, who are 10-14 overall. Along with Morgan State and B-CU, FAMU also has five conference losses on the season to sit behind the top 3 teams in the league.

The Rattlers force 15.5 turnovers per game while scoring 68 points per game. Rod Melton is tops on the team with 13.4 points per game, and MJ Randolph is second at 13.0 points with 5.8 rebounds. Evins Desir (9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds), DJ Jones (7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds) and Nasir Core (7.4 points) are three more names that fill the stat sheet.

The Wildcats have been a streaky team in the MEAC, most recently losing at Maryland Eastern Shore but topping Delaware State on the road. B-CU is now 7-5 in the league, 13-13 overall. They bring the league's top scoring offense at 75 points per game, shooting 43 percent overall while also forcing 16 turnovers per game on defense.

The two-headed monster of Isaiah Bailey (15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds) and Cletrell Pope (14.1 points, 11.7 rebounds) leads the way, and the duo has combined for more than 350 free throw attempts. Joe French (9.1 points) shoots 42 percent from deep, while Malik Maitland (8.9 points), Leon Redd (8.6 points) and Wali Parks (7.9 points, 4.8 rebounds) also put their names in the scoring column.

Last Time Out
NSU fell behind by 13 in the first half, but the Spartans used a 20-1 run to eventually lead by eight at the break. They went on to defeat Coppin State 80-60 on Monday night at Joseph Echols Hall. CSU shot just 36.5 percent from the floor as the Eagles (8-20, 4-9 MEAC) went just seven deep in their rotation.

Jermaine Bishop had 24 points, 22 in the first half, on a career-high six 3-pointers to lead the Spartans, who finished with 11 3's on the night. Tyrese Jenkins added 15 points off the bench in the second half, and Steven Whitley posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Spartans were +18 on the glass in the second half. Despite both teams having 14 turnovers, NSU outscored the Eagles 19-2 in points off turnovers and was 17-of-19 from the free throw line.

Recent Trends
 • NSU's scoring margin of +6.1 is on pace to be its best in its Division I era, topping last year's mark of +4.1. Its current field goal % defense of 40.0 and scoring defense of 64.4 are on pace to be the second best. In addition, the team's 3-point field goal % defense of 29.4 is currently third, and its 70.3 free throw shooting percentage is the fourth-best.
 • The Spartans are averaging 8.8 3-pointers during the last 12 games, including a combined 98 3-point attempts the last 3 games.
 • In the last 11 games, opponents have shot just 27.4 percent from deep (63-of-230). In the last three games, they have shot just 35.1 percent from the floor (52-of-148).
 • In the last six games, opponents have averaged 17.3 turnovers per game, and NSU has tallied 8.3 steals during that time.
 • The Spartans are averaging 2.9 blocks the last seven games after five total blocks in the previous five games.
 • NSU has outscored opponents in points off turnovers in 13 of the last 17 games, including eight of the last nine, and are averaging 20.2 points off turnovers the last six games. The Spartans have outscored or been even with opponents in second-chance points in 12 of the last 14 games.
 • The Spartans are outscoring teams in every specialty stat category: points off turnovers (17.8-13.3), second-chance points (10.3-8.5), points in the paint (26.8-25.0), fastbreak points (9.7-7.4), and bench points (23.1-16.9).
 • The guard foursome of Bishop, Bryant, Whitley and Carter have combined for 67 of the team's 80 double-digit scoring performances this year.
 • NSU has used 11 different starting lineups this year, including seven different lineups during an eight-game span from Dec. 1-Jan. 4.
 • In 20 of the Spartans' 26 games this year, they have scored the same amount or more points in the second half than the first (+5.2 points per second half), including eight of the last nine games. 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 19 of 26 games this year, including 15 of the last 16.
 • The Spartans also shoot better in second halves (43.7-40.6) and have a better turnover margin as well (+1.2 - +0.5). Opponents shoot better in second halves too (42.2-37.6). For NSU on the glass, it's the opposite, as its rebounding margin is +1.7 in first halves but +0.8 in second halves.
 • The Spartans have also had the same amount or more fouls than the opposition in 19 of 26 games this season (+1.8 in fouls per game). They did the same in 26 of 36 games last year (+2.2).
 • NSU's 17-of-19 effort from the free throw line against Coppin State (89.5 percent) is tied for the eighth-best percentage in a game in NSU's Division I history.
 • The team had 36 3-point attempts against Delaware State and 35 versus Coppin State, just short of the program record of 37 set two seasons ago. Only six other times in its history has NSU made more 3-pointers in a game than its total of 13 versus DSU.

MEAC Rankings
The Spartans rank 1st in the MEAC in scoring defense (64.4), scoring margin (+6.1), and field goal % defense (40.0). They are also 2nd in free throw % (70.3), 3-point field goal % (33.0), opponent rebounding (34.3), rebounding margin (+2.6), turnover margin (+1.65), assist-turnover ratio (0.9), defensive rebound % (72.4), offensive rebound % (31.8), and 3-pointers (7.8), and 3rd in 3-point field goal % defense (29.4).

In MEAC games only, they stand 1st in scoring margin (+12.2), 3-point field goal % (35.3), rebounding margin (+5.5), and 3-pointers (8.9), 2nd in scoring defense (62.9), free throw % (71.7), opponent rebounding (32.5), assist-turnover ratio (1.0), and defensive rebound % (73.6), and 3rd in scoring offense (75.1), 3-point field goal % defense (27.4), assists (13.9), turnover margin (+1.64), and offensive rebound % (34.2).

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands No. 26 in 3-point field goal % defense (29.4), No. 28 in turnovers forced (16.19), No. 41 in field goal % defense (40.0), No. 51 in scoring defense (64.4), No. 61 in offensive rebounds (11.46), No. 65 in steals (7.7), No. 72 in turnover margin (+1.7), No. 83 in scoring margin (+6.1), No. 106 in rebound margin (+2.6), No. 106 in rebounds per game (36.96), and No. 118 in 3-pointers per game (7.8).

Conference Streak
This year, NSU secured its 22nd straight season with a .500 or better conference record in its Division I era. In fact, in Norfolk State's 65 seasons in either the EIAC, CIAA or the MEAC, the program has had just one losing conference record (9-10 in the CIAA in 1990-91).

NSU ranks eighth in the nation for the longest streak of .500-or-better conference records in a row in D-I (See table page 8). NSU has posted 28 straight .500 or better conference records, dating back to that 1990-91 campaign.

Every other team in the MEAC has had at least one losing conference record since 2015-16.

What Deficit?
NSU has erased a double-digit deficit in a victory 20 times since the start of the 2014-15 season.

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 6.7 rebounds last 7 games
 • Had 9th career double-double, and 7th game with at least 10 rebounds, after tallying 11 points and season-high 12 rebounds vs. Coppin State (2/17)
 • Stands 5th in the MEAC in in assist-turnover ratio (1.3), 7th in assists (3.3), 8th in steals (1.5), 14th in field goal % (43.6), 16th in rebounding (5.1), and 18th in scoring (10.6)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 8th in steals (1.5), 12th in assists (2.9) and defensive rebounds (4.2), 15th in rebounding (5.5), and 28th in scoring (10.3)
 • Stands No. 201 in the nation in steals (1.46)
 • Ranks 15th in NSU Division I season records in assist average (3.27)
 • Ranks 8th all-time at NSU in assists (374), 9th in assist average (4.02), 11th in steals (142), and No. 37 in points (1,006)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 33 in steals (166), No. 48 in assist-turnover ratio (1.35), No. 47 in assists (411), No. 96 in games played (124), No. 145 in rebounds (553), and No. 240 in points (1,108)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Has scored in double figures in 12 straight games, averaging 17.4 points; Also averaging 5.3 rebounds last 4 games
 • Tied season high with 24 points vs. Coppin State (2/17) on season-best 8-of-13 shooting; 10th career 20-point game and 6th of the season
 • Scored 22 points in first half, the first NSU player to score 20 in a half since Jonathan Wade in January 2017
 • Also Had career-high 6 3-pointers, 6th game this season with at least 5
 • Has 38 3-point attempts last 3 games (15-of-38)
 • Ranks 2nd in the MEAC in 3-point field goals (3.0), 4th in 3-point field goal % (38.9), 5th in scoring (14.6), and 7th in minutes (32.8)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 1st in 3-point field goals (3.6), 3rd in scoring (17.5) and free throw % (85.7), 6th in 3-point field goal % (41.7), and 10th in minutes (33.9)
 • Stands No. 29 in the nation in 3-point field goals (2.96) and No. 41 in 3-point field goal % (38.9)
 • Ranks 4th in NSU Division I season records and 5th in overall records in 3-pointers (77), and 5th and 6th, respectively, in 3-point field goal attempts (198)
 • Also ranks 9th all-time at NSU in 3-point field goal % (38.9)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 44 in free throw % (84.8), and No. 331 in 3-point field goals (121)

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Averaging 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals last 7 games
 • Tied season high with 6 rebounds vs. Morgan State (2/15)
 • At 93.3% free throw shooting, is on pace to top the school record of 85.6% set by David Donerlson (1991-92), and the school's Division I record of 83.3% held by two players. Does not have enough attempts to qualify nationally; National leader is at 94.0%
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in free throw % (93.3), 5th in steals (1.7), 9th in 3-point field goals (1.6), 13th in 3-point field goal % (33.1), and 14th in scoring (12.3)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 2nd in free throw % (91.7) and steals (1.8), 9th in 3-point field goals (1.6), 13th in assists (2.8) and 3-point field goal % (32.7), and 17th in scoring (12.4)
 • Stands No. 98 in the nation in steals (1.68)

Devante Carter
 • Averaging 12.5 points on 18-of-37 shooting last 4 games
 • Grabbed career-high 11 rebounds vs. Coppin State (2/17)
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in steals (1.7), 6th in assist-turnover ratio (1.3), 8th in field goal % (48.8) and assists (3.0), 12th in rebounding (5.4), 15th in defensive rebounds (4.0), and 26th in scoring (9.2)
 • In MEAC games only, stands 6th in assist-turnover (1.6), 8th in offensive rebounds (2.3), 9th in assists (3.3) and steals (1.4), and 10th in rebounding (6.1)
 • Stands No. 92 in the nation in steals (1.70)

Chris Ford
 • Shot career-best 4-of-4 from the free throw line vs. Coppin State (2/17)
 • Ranks 6th in the MEAC in blocks (1.1)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 15th in blocks (0.6)
 • Stands No. 189 in the nation in blocks (1.08)

Spirit Ricks
 • Averaging 3.8 rebounds last 4 games

Tyrese Jenkins
 • Averaging 8.6 points last 8 games on 23-of-41 shooting, 11-of-24 from deep, with 2.1 rebounds
 • Scored 15 points on career-best 6-of-10 shooting vs. Coppin State (2/17), tying career high with 3 3-pointers
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 2nd in 3-point field goal % (45.8)

Efstratios Kalogerias
 • Had career-high 2 blocks vs. Morgan State (2/15)