NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team unveiled its 2024-25 nonconference schedule on Monday afternoon, headlined by heated in-state matchups and fierce powerhouse showdowns.
 
"This is the toughest schedule I have ever had in my coaching career here at NSU," Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones said. "Nine teams won 20+ games last year, a few NCAA Tournament teams and two preseason Top-15 teams. We will have to be prepared night in and night out. However, this should more than prepare us for the competitive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this year."
 
The Spartans open the 2024-25 campaign at home, battling Penn State Wilkes-Barre at 7 p.m. at Joseph G. Echols Hall on Nov. 4. After taking on Virginia Lynchburg (11/6) in the same venue, the Spartans (11/9) host James Madison for the programs' first meeting since the 2020-21 season.
 
Norfolk State begins a six-game road stand with a short drive, facing William & Mary (11/12) with a fourth consecutive victory in the series on the line.  The Spartans remain close by, battling Hampton on the road on Nov. 16, before hitting the west coast to play Stanford (11/20), Grand Canyon (11/22), and UC Davis (11/25).
 
The Spartans return to the east coast for a road matchup against Stony Brook and a home showdown against Hofstra (12/9), but immediately bring on another six-game road stretch. Norfolk State will play Baylor for the third time in the last three years (12/11), Northern Kentucky a few days later (12/15), and Alabama State (12/19) and Grambling (12/20) in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge.
 
Norfolk State ends the calendar year with two tough road tests, going head-to-head with High Point (12/29) and Tennessee (12/31). Amidst the conference stretch of the season, the Spartans conclude their nonconference state at home against Central International College (1/20).
 
Fresh off an outright MEAC regular season title and CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) championship, Norfolk State boasts a talented roster of returners and newcomers. The Spartans' 2024 recruiting class features five transfers and two freshmen.
 
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