NORFOLK STATE [6-3] at ILLINOIS STATE [6-3]
Date / Time	Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 | 7 p.m. EST
Location	Normal, Ill. | Horton Field House
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
TV / Streaming	ESPN+
Radio	YouTube
Game Notes	Norfolk State Notes
Live Stats	statbroadcast.com
All-Time Series	ISU Leads 2-0
First Meeting	ISU 79, Norfolk State 66 [2009]
Last Meeting	ISU 68, Norfolk State 36 [2011]
Series Current Streak	ISU - 2
Social Media	Twitter - X | Instagram | Facebook

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team comes into a road contest on Saturday against Illinois State red-hot, earning a pair of statement victories against in-state opponents last week.
 
The Spartans clicked on all cylinders in a 96-62 rout of William & Mary at Echols Hall, before picking up the team's first victory against VCU since 1972 just a few days later. The latter triumph moved the Spartans to 6-3 on the season.
 
After playing nine games in a span of 25 days, the Spartans have had over a week to rest and prepare for their upcoming matchup. Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones has made the most of the team's lengthened practice window.
 
"You only get about two or three times during the season where you truly get a chance to truly get better," Jones said. "Finals week is one of those weeks. We got a chance to put in a couple of different things to get ready for this game."
 
Illinois State (6-3) enters Saturday's matchup riding a three-game win streak, picking up wins against UIC, Murray State, and Northern Kentucky. The Redbirds have handled business in crunch time, winning all three games by slim margins.
 
The meeting between Norfolk State and Illinois State will mark the second edition of the Redbirds' "Return to Horton" series, taking place at the Horton Field House, instead of the team's customary CEFCU Arena. Horton Field House housed Illinois State basketball over 35 years ago, provided a loud, intimate atmosphere in the teams' standalone return last year against SIUE.
 
Slated for a 7 p.m. EST tip, the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Radio coverage will also be available on the Norfolk State Athletics YouTube channel, with Ross Gordon on the call.
 
Last Time Out

• In the first meeting between the schools since 1998, Norfolk State defeated VCU 63-60 at the Siegel Center on Friday, Dec. 1
• The result marked Norfolk State's first victory against the Rams since Jan. 10, 1972
• Norfolk State improved to 6-3 with the victory
• VCU dropped to 4-4 with the loss
• Allen Betrand and Jamarii Thomas led the Spartans with 17 points each
• NSU outscored VCU 40-18 in the paint

 
Series Notes

• Illinois State leads the all-time series between the programs 2-0
• Both Norfolk State losses came on the road, during the 2009-10 and 2011-12 campaigns
• Illinois State won the last meeting 68-36 on Dec. 18, 2011

 
Redbird Scout

• Illinois State improved to 6-3 with a 62-59 victory over Northern Kentucky on Wednesday
• Kendall Lewis paced the Redbirds with 15 points and six rebounds against NKU
• ISU's losses have come against Saint Louis, High Point, and Wright State
• Dalton Banks leads the Redbirds with 11.4 points per contest, while Darius Burford follows closely behind at 11.3 points per game
• Illinois State competes in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)

 
Poll Watch
 
Norfolk State made its first appearance of the season in the CollegeInsider.com Men's Basketball Mid-Major Top 25 Rankings this week, coming in at the No. 23 slot.
 
The Spartans received just one vote in the previous poll, shooting up the board after the strong wins against William & Mary and VCU. With 109 points, Norfolk State is the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in this week's ranking.
 
Looking Ahead to What's Next
 
After battling Illinois State, NSU heads to the Empire State for a pair of matchups at Stony Brook (Dec. 13) and Hofstra (Dec. 16).
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.