NORFOLK, Va. – After years of being oh-so-close, the 2020-21 NSU men's basketball team broke through in a big way, capturing the Spartans' second-ever MEAC tournament title and first since 2012.

NSU head coach Robert Jones knows that means his team will have a target on its back. Even more so after the Spartans were picked to finish first in the MEAC's preseason poll despite losing four starters from the end of the season.

But Jones hopes it's a target that his team welcomes.

"To be honest, some of our early practices (this year) weren't that good," said Jones, who is entering his ninth year as head coach. "But as time goes on and we talked to the players, we tell them they have to develop a new mindset. From the time we play Bridgewater to the end of the year, we'll have a bullseye on our back."

Bridgewater is NSU's first chance to showcase a new group which includes a good mix of returning veterans and newcomers. The Spartans and Eagles tip off at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday at Echols Hall. The game, which follows a championship ring and banner ceremony, will be broadcast on 91.1 FM and Spartan Showcase video streaming.

The Spartans welcome back eight players who saw time on last year's title team, led by 2021 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Performer Joe Bryant Jr. Bryant averaged 11.1 points per game last season and earned third-team All-MEAC honors. He took his game to another level in the postseason, scoring 47 points in NSU's two MEAC Tournament games – including 30 in the quarterfinals against North Carolina Central.

"Joe is our most decorated guy coming back. He's the most integral part of our team right now and it has nothing to do with what he can do statistically," Jones said. "We have to lean on him for his leadership, because we lost a lot from last year."

Bryant will be joined in the backcourt by senior guard Jalen Hawkins. Like Bryant, Hawkins earned preseason All-MEAC honors this year. Hawkins averaged 10.1 points as NSU's sixth man last year, culminating in a 24-point performance in the NCAA win over Appalachian State.

"We're looking forward to seeing Jalen take another step this year with increased minutes and responsibility," Jones said.

Juniors Tyrese Jenkins, Daryl Anderson and Yoro Sidibe also return. Jenkins started 13 games last year and made 16 3-pointers.

"Tyrese would tell you he had a bit of a disappointing sophomore year, so we look for him to bounce back more to his freshman year form," Jones said. "He can shoot the 3 and rebounds well with great size and length."

Anderson was one of the MEAC's best sharpshooters, hitting 44 percent from deep while averaging nearly five points per game last year.

"Daryl is the best shooter we have on floor at all times when he's out there," Jones said. "He is looking for add another dimension so that when teams take away his outside shot, he can do other things."

Sidibe provides athleticism off the NSU bench and is another player coaches are looking to take the next step this year.
 
"Yoro has had a few injuries the last couple years that have hurt his consistency. First and foremost, we want him to be healthy, but then we want him to find his niche and work on his consistency."

Sophomore guard Andre Bottoms is also back after playing in 10 games last year. Jones foresees him playing a bigger role this year.

"He didn't play much last year, but we think Andre can be a solid backup and role player as he works on his efficiency," Jones added.

In the frontcourt, the Spartans bring back a pair of forwards who played key roles last year in senior Chris Ford and junior Nyzaiah Chambers. Ford led the team with 20 blocked shots and shot 53 percent from the floor. Chambers shot 54 percent and came on strong at the end of the season.

"Chris is our best shot-blocker and he's a bruiser and banger who can get you six to eight points and four to five rebounds just by doing the dirty work," Jones said. "Chambers played well in the postseason and we want to see him carry that into this year."

The Spartans also welcome in six newcomers who will bolster the roster. Among the new players are three Division I transfers and two junior college performers, giving NSU a veteran feel. Guard Christian Ings comes to NSU from Rider, where he averaged 7.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season.

"Chris is our floor general," Jones said. "He is super fast, strong and athletic which will help us play a faster tempo. He has been coming along well learning a new system and working on his decision-making."

Forward Kris Bankston transferred in from Arkansas Little Rock, where he spent parts of four seasons. Injuries hindered him at times, but he averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds as a sophomore and 9.7 points in a shortened junior season in 2019-20.

"Kris is the most athletic big I've ever coached, by far. He has NBA type of potential," Jones said. "He is just such a nice kid, we want him to be a little meaner at times and understand the kinds of things he can do at 6-8, 6-9."

Forward Dana Tate Jr. spent the last three seasons at Rhode Island (2018-20) and Siena (2020-21). Jones is excited to see what the former four-star high school recruit from the Boston area can do.

"Dana can play inside and out, is strong bodied and a good athlete," Jones said. "He's just looking to regain his form after not playing a lot the last couple years."

From the junior college ranks, NSU brings in guards Cahiem Brown and Terrance Jones. Brown was an NJCAA honorable mention All-American as a freshman at Georgia Highlands in 2019-20, when he averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He averaged 14.7 points as a sophomore.

"Cahiem can really score but he can really pass, as well," Jones said. "He can play off the ball or as a backup point guard if we need him to. His best basketball is definitely ahead of him."

Jones, a New Jersey native, averaged 16.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from long range in his one season at Eastern Wyoming College.

"Terrance had a good year in his one season in JC. Now he gets to reset and we look forward to him contributing to our perimeter for years to come," Jones said.

The Spartans also added one high school player in Richmond-area product Dana Woodley.

"Dana is another very athletic player who will get the chance to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game as he develops," Jones said.

Jones' club will be tested early with games against the likes of William & Mary, Xavier, Wichita State and Loyola Chicago to name a few. NSU also participates in two HBCU showcase events, this Saturday in Atlanta against Tennessee State and Nov. 28-29 in Phoenix at NBA star Chris Paul's event against Hampton and Grambling.

Jones relishes the chance to mold another talented group of Spartans and compete for another championship.

"We are definitely a work in progress right now. It takes a lot of work to get back to where we were," Jones said. "But we are trying to get this group to develop that championship mindset as quickly as possible. Once these guys mesh together, we can have a very good season."