North Carolina Central Eagles (14-11) vs Norfolk State Spartans (20-8)
Game Info: Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm (McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium)
Betting Odds: North Carolina Central Eagles -3 -- Over/Under: 142.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Norfolk State Spartans will head down to Durham to face the North Carolina Central Eagles in MEAC play
Norfolk State improved 20-8 after defeating South Carolina State in Orangeburg. The Spartans jumped out to a big halftime lead and held on to beat the Bulldogs by twelve, 88-76. NSU scores 76.1 points per game, while allowing 68.5 ppg, and shooting 48.2% from the field.
Norfolk State has won seven of their last eight games, and they currently rest atop the conference. NSU is 9-3 in MEAC play, with a 6-6 road record. Fifth-year vet Joe Bryant still leads the charge for the Spartans, and after scoring 24 points against SCST, he leads NSU in scoring (17.6) and assists (3.4). Veteran Kris Bankston had posted back-to-back 22-point outings double-doubled in wins over UMES and Coppin State, and he’s leading the squad in rebounding (7.0), while scoring 13.7 ppg.
North Carolina Central moved to 15-11 after defeating Howard in Durham. The Eagles held onto a double digit halftime lead to down the Bison by eight, 68-60. NCCU scores 75.7 points per game, while allowing 68.2 ppg, and shooting 47.7% from the field.
NCCU has won their last five games, and they’ll look to shake up the conference standings and avenge a loss to NSU here Monday night. NCCU is 8-4 in MEAC play, with a 12-1 home record. Junior guard Justin Wright scored a season-high 24 points in the win over Citadel, and he leads the team in scoring (15.9). Sophomore center Brendan Medley-Bacon has scored 15 points or more in five of the last seven games, and he’s averaging 12.1 ppg and a team-lead 5.6 rpg.
Norfolk State is 11-11-2 against the spread this season, with a 12-11 over/under record. North Carolina Central is 14-7-1 ATS this year, with a 13-8 o/u record.
Norfolk State comes into this high stakes battle streaking, and I’m buying into them staying atop the conference with a win here. This is one of most experienced teams in the country, and with a return to the Big Dance in sight, they should be motivated to control their own destiny. It should be a very good game, but roll with Norfolk State for this MEAC clash.
Corey’s Pick Norfolk State ML
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
