NORFOLK, Va. – After splitting a pair of matchups in Baltimore, Norfolk State has a chance to get back on track with two home games at Echols Hall, including a nationally televised showdown on Monday night.
 
The Spartans (13-7, 3-2 MEAC) host South Carolina State on Saturday, Jan. 28, for Breast Cancer Awareness Day, with tip-off slated for 2 p.m. Two days later, Norfolk State battles North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30.
 
NSU's meeting with SCSU will be streamed on HBCU League Pass+, while Monday's game will be televised on ESPNU. Both games will be broadcast on 91.1 FM.
 
Last Time Out
 
Norfolk State took its second MEAC loss of the season on Monday night, falling 77-71 to Morgan State at the Hill Field House. The Bears took control early, quickly building a 23-6 lead. NSU came within two in the second half, but Morgan State staved off the Spartans comeback for its 10^th consecutive home victory.
 
The Spartans finished the night 0-of-13 from the 3-point line, while Morgan State connected on 12 shots from behind the arc. It marked Norfolk State's worst shooting night from deep since going 0-of-17 against South Carolina State on Jan. 25, 2010, and broke a streak of 424 consecutive games with at least one made 3-pointer.
 
Kris Bankston led the Spartans with a career-high 24 points, securing eight rebounds and two steals as well. Nyzaiah Chambers tied his career best with 11 points, pulling down a season-high seven rebounds.
 
Scouting the Bulldogs/Eagles
 
 
South Carolina State (3-18, 0-5) has experienced multiple nailbiters, but hasn't been able to snatch a conference win yet. The Bulldogs have lost their last three games by only 13 points combined, most recently dropping an overtime contest with Delaware State by one possession.
 
SCSU uses a balanced offensive attack, with three players averaging double-figures in the scoring department. Rakiem Gary has emerged as the team's go-to scorer in conference play, tallying 18 points against the Hornets.
 
North Carolina Central (10-9, 3-2) earned victories over Coppin State, South Carolina State and Delaware State early in the MEAC slate, dropping tight matchups with Morgan State and Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
The Eagles' loss to the Hawks on Monday came in heartbreaking fashion. With NCCU holding a seven point advantage in the final minute of regulation, Maryland Eastern Shore scored the final eight points of the game to steal one on the road.
 
NCCU ranks second in the MEAC in scoring offense (76.8) and first in scoring defense (66.5) for a league-best 10.3 point differential. Justin Wright ranks fifth in the MEAC with 15.5 points per game, while Eric Boone sits second with 5.3 assists per contest.
 
All-Time Series/Last Meeting
 
Norfolk State owns a 29-18 advantage in the all-time series against SCSU, dominating the Bulldogs in the past decade. NSU has won 10 consecutive meetings with SCSU, and 13 of the last 14, with the Bulldogs' last victory coming in the 2016 MEAC Tournament.
 
The Spartans swept both matchups against SCSU in the 2021-22 season, capped off by a 63-59 win at Echols Hall. Dana Tate Jr. led the NSU with 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
NSU leads the all-time series with North Carolina Central 32-17, although the matchup has been neck-and-neck in recent years. The Eagles have won six of the last 11 matchups between the schools, splitting the regular season series in 2021-22.
 
After dropping their first matchup against the Eagles last season, Norfolk State blew out NCCU 75-46 in the rematch to clinch the MEAC regular season title. Kris Bankston led the Spartans with 21 points and 11 rebounds, blocking two shots on the defensive end as well.
 
Tests With the Top
 
To be the best you have to compete against the best, and the Spartans have done just that this year, facing three teams ranked in the AP Top 10 in a span of one month. The Spartans battled Baylor in their third matchup of the season (ranked No.  5 at the time), before facing UCLA just two days later (No. 8). NSU played Houston on Nov. 29, the number-one ranked team in the country.
 
Dominance Against CAA
 
Of Norfolk State's six nonconference wins against Division I opponents this year, four of them have come against CAA teams (Monmouth, Hampton, William & Mary, North Carolina A&T). The Spartans have also picked up victories against SWAC (Alabama A&M) and MAC (Bowling Green) opponents.
 
Neutral Site, No Problem
 
Norfolk State has played in two regular season multi-team events this year, owning a 3-0 record during those showcase opportunities. The Spartans defeated Alabama A&M 89-83 at the ATL Has Something to Say HBCU Challenge in Atlanta, Ga., before besting Hampton (78-66) and North Carolina A&T (70-66) at the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge Hosted by Chris Paul.
 
The Spartans still have one more opportunity for a nonconference win in a new location, facing Hampton for a rematch on Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. This rendition of the Battle of the Bay rivalry will take place in Newark, N.J. as part of the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic.
 
NSU in the Polls
 
Norfolk State entered the 2022-23 campaign ranked No. 20 in College Insider's Preseason Mid-Major Top-25 poll, after recording the team's highest-ever finish in the poll in 2021-22 at No. 16.
 
When the Norfolk State women's basketball team entered the College Insider Women's Mid-Major Top-25 for the first time in program history this December, NSU became the first HBCU ever to be represented in both the men's and women's mid-major polls at the same time.