| MATCHUP | Norfolk State Spartans | SC State Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 7-12 | 3-15 |
| Spread | -6.5 -105 | +6.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | -250 | +205 |
| Total | Over 141.5 (-112) | Under 141.5 (-108) |
| Where | Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, Orangeburg, SC | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
South Carolina State Bulldogs Preview
South Carolina State Bulldogs have a 3-15 record this season and are in the 3rd place of the MEAC. They have a 2-2 home record and are coming off a 74-72 away win against Coppin State. Their previous three games were a 72-67 away loss against Morgan State, a 58-57 home win against Howard and a 105-54 away loss against Tennessee.
Offensively, South Carolina State averages 65.3 points per game, while allowing 84.3 points per game defensively. The Bulldogs shoot with 40% from the field and grab 31.4 rebounds per game, while dishing out 11.4 assists per game. They average 3.2 blocks per game and 6.6 steals per game defensively.
Jayden Johnson leads South Carolina State in scoring, with an average of 12.9 points per game, while shooting with 46.1% from the field and 73.8% from the free throw line, and leads the team in assists with 3.8 per game. Cameron Clark is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.3 per game.
Norfolk State Spartans Preview
Norfolk State Spartans have a 7-12 record this season and are tied in the 5th place of the MEAC. They have a 2-8 road record and are coming off a 74-70 home loss against Maryland Eastern Shore. Their previous three games were a 66-64 away win against Delaware State, a 69-67 away loss against North Carolina Central and a 63-54 away loss against UL.
Offensively, Norfolk State averages 73.8 points per game, while allowing 72.7 points per game defensively. The Spartans shoot with 45% from the field and grab 35.7 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.1 assists per game. They average 2.9 blocks per game and 6.7 steals per game defensively.
Anthony McComb III leads Norfolk State in scoring, with an average of 15.9 points per game, while shooting with 40.5% from the field and 75.7% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 4.7 per game. Elijah Jamison leads the team in assists with 3.2 per game.
Norfolk State Spartans @ South Carolina State Bulldogs Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the South Carolina State Bulldogs will win
- South Carolina State has won each of its last seven games against Conference opponents at Smith-Hammond Middleton Memorial Center.
- Norfolk State has lost seven of its last eight day games.
- South Carolina State has won the first half in each of its last nine day games at Smith-Hammond Middleton Memorial Center.
Why the Norfolk State Spartans will win
- Norfolk State has won 16 of its last 17 games against South Carolina State.
- South Carolina State has lost 16 of its last 19 games.
- Norfolk State has won the first half in four of its last five day games at Smith-Hammond Middleton Memorial Center.
Norfolk State vs South Carolina State Prediction
In this Norfolk State vs South Carolina State Prediction, Norfolk State is coming as -6 road favorites. Norfolk State has been the better team this season but they have been terrible on the road, while SC State has been average at home. Norfolk State has been struggling lately, with a 3-7 record in its last 10 games and has failed to cover in its last 5 games, so I don’t trust them as road favorites in this spot, as their offense has been struggling lately, averaging just 64.2 points in their last 4 games. Take SC State to keep this one and get the +6 points at home.