NORFOLK, Va. – After enjoying a week-long holiday break, the Norfolk State men's basketball team closes the 2024 calendar year with two fierce road matchups this week.
The Spartans (8-6) face red-hot High Point (12-2) first at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, looking to snap the Panthers' four-game win streak and undefeated record at home. NSU heads to Knoxville, Tenn. at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 to battle Tennessee (12-0), the top-ranked program in the nation.
Norfolk State bounced back gracefully from a three-game losing streak, winning both of its showdowns at the Chris Paul HBCU Classic at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
NSU took down Alabama State 71-54 to open the multi-team event, led by 15 points and seven rebounds from graduate guard
Brian Moore Jr. Norfolk State dominated the glass, outrebounding ASU 42-31.
The Spartans then survived a momentous comeback effort from Grambling State the very next day, squeaking out a 76-70 victory. Moore produced a 20-point, 10-rebound double double, while
Christian Ings added 13 points on a 6-of-6 shooting day.
High Point holds an 8-0 record at the Qubein Center this season, making the location one of the most difficult places to play in the conference. D'Maurian Williams leads the Panthers with 15.3 points per game, while Kezza Giffa (14.3) follows closely behind.
Tennessee entered the season ranked No. 12 in the country but has surged to the top with a flawless campaign thus far. Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier averages 19.3 points per game, shooting 47.4 percent from behind the arc.
Both games will air on the ESPN family of networks, available through the ESPN+ app. Radio coverage will be available on WNSB 91.1 FM.
LAST TIME OUT
- Brian Moore Jr. led Norfolk State to a 76-70 win over Grambling State at the Chris Paul HBCU Classic, recording a 20-point, 10-rebound double double
- Christian Ings scored 13 points with two assists and zero turnovers, shooting 6-of-6 from the field
- Kuluel Mading also reached double figures, scoring 10 points
- NSU never trailed, holding the lead for 38 minutes and 21 seconds
- Moore became the first Spartan to record a double double since Kris Bankston achieved the feat against Coppin State on Mar. 9, 2023
SERIES HISTORY
- Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between the High Point and Norfolk State men's basketball programs
- Norfolk State and Tennessee met during the 2022-23 season, the only matchup between the schools, with Tennessee earning an 87-50 victory
- Zakai Zeigler led the Volunteers in the previous meeting with 17 points and four steals, while Jamarii Thomas racked up 15 points for the Spartans
PEAK AT THE PANTHERS
- High Point enters Sunday's game with a 12-2 overall record
- The Panthers currently own a four-game win streak
- High Point is 8-0 at home this season
- D'Maurian Williams leads High Point with 15.3 points per game, while Kezza Gifa (14.3) follows closely behind
VOLUNTEER VIEW
- Tennessee owns a 12-0 record, earning the No. 1 ranking nationally in both the AP and Coaches polls
- The Volunteers haven't lost at home this season, winning all seven opportunities
- Tennessee has outscored opponents by an average of 24.6 points per game
- Chaz Lanier leads Tennessee with 19. 3 points per game, shooting 47.4 percent from behind the arc
