NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State men's basketball faces a pivotal stretch of its league schedule this weekend in Baltimore, Md., including a nationally televised matchup against a team atop the conference standings.
 
The Spartans battle Coppin State (6-14. 1-2 MEAC) on Saturday at 4 p.m., before going against Morgan State (10-8, 3-0) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The latter meeting will be broadcast on ESPNU, with Derek Jones and John Williams providing play-by-play and analysis, respectively.
 
Both games will be broadcast live on 91.1 FM.
 
Last Time Out
 
Norfolk State's 19-game home winning streak came to an end last weekend, as the Spartans fell 86-84 to Howard on Saturday after the Bison knocked down a trio of free throws in the final two seconds of regulation.
 
Joe Bryant Jr. led NSU with 23 points, shooting a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Cahiem Brown (19 points) and Kris Bankston (16) provided scoring support with efficiency, shooting a combined 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from the floor.
 
Scouting the Eagles/Bears
 
Coppin State boasts one of the most prolific scoring guards in the country, Sam Sessoms. After transferring from Penn State in the offseason, Sessoms has excelled with 21.7 points and 5.0 assists per contest thus far.
 
While finding no issues putting the ball in the basket, the Eagles have allowed 85.1 points per game this year, producing a variety of offensive shootouts against conference and nonconference opponents alike.  CSU defeated James Madison at home 107-100 in double overtime in December, one of the highest total scores of any Division I matchup this season.
 
Morgan State will provide no less difficultly on the defensive end for the Spartans, with two players averaging over 18 points per game. Isaiah Burke (20.0 ppg) has relished his newfound starting role, while Malik Miller (18.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg) makes an impact on both ends.
 
The Bears squeezed out tight five-point wins over both North Carolina Central and South Carolina State, before defeating Coppin State 83-66 to become the only team undefeated in conference play remaining.
 
Streak Spoilers?
 
While Norfolk State saw its own 19-game home winning streak ended last weekend, the Spartans will have an opportunity to play the spoiler role on Monday. Morgan State enters Monday's contest with 10 consecutive victories at the Hill Field House, the Bears' last home loss coming on Feb. 12, 2022.
 
All-Time Series/Last Meeting
 
Norfolk State leads the all-time series with Coppin State 37-14, defeating the Eagles three times during the 2021-22 season. After sweeping a pair of regular season meetings, Norfolk State defeated CSU 72-57 in the MEAC Tournament Championship for the Spartans' second consecutive conference title.
 
NSU holds a strong 45-17 advantage over Morgan State all-time, dating back to the 1959-60 campaign. The Spartans have won five of their last six matchups against MSU, with the Bears handing Norfolk State one of its two conference losses last season. NSU got its revenge in the MEAC Tournament, though, taking down Morgan State 72-63 in a semifinal showdown, setting up the tournament finale against CSU.