NORFOLK, Va. – These are heady times for the Norfolk State men's basketball team.

Two straight MEAC titles. Three straight postseason berths, including a pair of postseason wins. A preseason ranking in the national Mid-Major Poll.

But through it all, head coach Robert Jones and his veteran-laden squad keep the focus simple.

"We don't talk much about championships, or repeating," said Jones, entering his 10^th season as Spartan head coach. "We just talk about being the best possible team we can be this year."

Those possibilities seem limitless on the eve of a new season, which begins with a pair of home games this week – Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Virginia Lynchburg, and Wednesday at 9 p.m. against Cairn University. The Spartans lost just one player from last season's high-powered team, bringing back 12 letterwinners alongside three newcomers to who will look to etch their names in the school's storied history.

Any discussion of the Spartans is sure to center around fifth-year guard Joe Bryant Jr., and for good reason. Bryant, who averaged 16.7 points per game and broke his own single-season school free-throw percentage record a year ago, was named the 2022 MEAC Player of the Year. He has also won the last two MEAC Tournament MVP awards, the first conference player to do that in nearly 30 years. He also earned Mid-Major All-American honors last year.

"Joe has trimmed down some this year so he can really show off his athleticism even more. We're excited to see how that new body makeup plays out during the season," Jones said. "But our team around him is really strong, so Joe doesn't have to do it all by himself."

Indeed, the Spartans are loaded with experienced talent at every position. Graduate post player Kris Bankston is back after exploding onto the scene last year. He earned All-MEAC second-team honors after averaging 11 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. His 76 dunks and athleticism around the rim translated to a 71 percent field goal percentage. Bankston was named to the preseason All-MEAC first team.

Forward Dana Tate averaged 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds and played his best ball in big moments. He averaged nearly 14 points in NSU's three tournament victories and can play inside and out.

Christian Ings also proved capable of taking over games last season. He averaged 8.9 points per game, a number affected by a nagging injury toward the end of the season. Ings scored an NSU season high 31 points in a win over William & Mary, and was second on the team with 62 assists.

Tyrese Jenkins brings versatility and experience to the Spartans. Jenkins – who coach Jones calls a Swiss army knife on the floor – has played anywhere from the point to the '4' during his career. He tallied 6.6 points and hit 32 3-pointers last year.

The Spartan have a plethora of options no matter which five are on the floor. Consider guard Cahiem Brown. He scored in double figures three times in the first four games last year before an injury stalled his 2021-22 season Also in the backcourt, Terrance Jones proved capable in his limited opportunities last year, including a nine-point effort in the NCAA tournament loss to Baylor.

Forwards Chris Ford and Nyzaiah Chambers provide muscle and athleticism around the basket, while Yoro Sidibe is another athletic performer on the wing.

The Spartans also brought in three newcomers who add to the embarrassment of riches at Jones' disposal. Junior college transfer Jack Doumbia is another athletic, versatile perimeter player who can impact games in a variety of ways.

Freshman guard George Beale Jr. was an all-state performer at nearby King's Fork in Suffolk who averaged 24 points per game as a high school senior. And Gilbert Brown II, another JC transfer, brings a winning pedigree and defensive mindset from Menchville High in Newport News to the roster.

NSU faces a tough non-conference schedule this year, with three preseason top-10 teams on the slate in November: at Baylor, UCLA and Houston. The Spartans also participate in three HBCU showcase events: the ATL Has Something to Say Challenge against Alabama A&M on Nov. 19; the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge with Hampton and North Carolina A&T on Dec. 17-18; and the Legacy Classic, also against Hampton, on Feb. 4.

The rest of the slate includes tough Division I non-conference foes in Monmouth, Old Dominion, William & Mary, Bowling Green and Nevada.

No matter the opponent, Jones said the key will be simple.

"Stay focused."