South Carolina State vs Norfolk State Prediction 3/15/25 College Basketball Picks

The South Carolina State Bulldogs and the Norfolk State Spartans meet Saturday in MEAC Tournament college basketball action from Norfolk Scope. Here’s a South Carolina State vs Norfolk State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best South Carolina State vs Norfolk State pick. We will examine: 

The South Carolina State Bulldogs recent form and player performance

The Norfolk State Spartans recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the South Carolina State Bulldogs

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Norfolk State Spartans

Recent betting trends in games played between South Carolina State and Norfolk State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the South Carolina State vs Norfolk State game

South Carolina State Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Bulldogs were below the .500 mark back in early February but since then it’s been a great run. South Carolina State kicked off their season with a 9-12 stretch across their first 21 outings, taking wins over Morris College, Voorhees, Alabama A&M, IUPUI, Charleston Southern, USC Upstate, Morgan State, Coppin State and Maryland Eastern Shore. Since then it’s been a nice win streak over Howard, Mid-Atlantic Christian, Morgan State, Coppin State, Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State, Howard, NC Central, Coppin State and NC Central again, giving the Bulldogs a 20-12 overall record this year so far. 

On Friday versus NC Central, the Bulldogs were up 54-25 going into the second half and emerged victorious in the end 88-67. Leading scorer Omar Croskey put up 30 points with five boards during the win. 

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Norfolk State Spartans Betting Preview

Over on the Norfolk State side, they didn’t open on a great run but they’ve been a lot better since late December. The Spartans were just 6-6 on December 19, then hit wins over Alabama State, Grambling, High Point, MD Eastern Shore, Delaware State and Coppin State in the next seven outings. After a loss to Morgan State, Norfolk State beat Washington Adventist, Howard, SC State, NC Central, MD Eastern Shore, Delaware State, Coppin State and Morgan State ahead of losses to South Carolina State and NC Central. Since then it’s been wins over Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore and Morgan State. That gives the Spartans a 23-10 overall run across 33 games this year so far. 

Matched up against Morgan State on Friday, the Spartans were down by three points at halftime. Norfolk State fought back on a 33-27 run in the second however, taking a 58-55 victory in the end. Leading the way was Christian Ings with 19 points and three rebounds in 34 minutes of work. The only other player on the team to finish in double-digits was Brian Moore with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes on the floor during the win. 

Why the Norfolk State Spartans will win

• Norfolk State has won 11 of its last 12 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• South Carolina State has lost the first half in each of its last four day games played at neutral venues.

Why the South Carolina State Bulldogs will win

• South Carolina State has won each of its last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of South Carolina State’s last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 144+ points.
• Nine of Norfolk State’s last 11 games against Conference opponents at Norfolk Scope Arena have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Norfolk State ranks 28th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (16.6).
• Norfolk State ranks 39th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (58.8%).
• South Carolina State ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (25.9).
• South Carolina State ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (18.3).

South Carolina State vs Norfolk State Prediction 

I’ll likely lean toward Norfolk State. The Spartans didn’t play very well against a middling Morgan State team on Friday though, so they’ll need a shot in the arm. In any case, Norfolk State hit just 40.4 percent from the field in that tournament win with a rough 3-of-12 (25 percent) from 3-point range and 15 turnovers. Fortunately the Spartans held the Bears to just 35.1 percent shooting on the other side and had nine points off 12 Morgan State turnovers. Still, the 58 points were the lowest Norfolk State total since hitting 52 in a loss to Tennessee way back on New Year’s Eve. 

These teams last met back on March 1 during a 91-88 home win for the Bulldogs. It was one of South Carolina State’s 11 straight wins, and the Bulldogs have scored 68 or more points in each of those outings. Norfolk State limps into this one against a plucky opponent, but I think the Spartans can eke it out in the end. I’m probably staying away from this one, though. 

Andrew Jett's Pick: Norfolk State Spartans -1.5