UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The Norfolk State men’s basketball team returns to a prestigious mid-season event this week, headlined by a future NBA Hall of Famer. The Spartans will face two opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
NSU (6-6) heads to the Mohegan Sun Arena for the 2024 Chris Paul HBCU Classic, going to battle with Alabama State (4-6) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and Grambling State (2-7) at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20.
This week will mark the Spartans’ third time competing in the event, boasting a flawless record in previous years. The Spartans took down North Carolina A&T and Hampton in the 2022 edition in Las Vegas, after beating Hampton and Grambling State in 2021 in Phoenix.
Former Norfolk State star Joe Bryant Jr. led the Spartans to a pair of victories in their last appearance at the HBCU Challenge, recording a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double against Hampton. Dana Tate Jr. came up clutch the next day against North Carolina A&T, scoring 24 points while knocking down six 3-pointers.
The matchup will mark Norfolk State’s first-ever meeting with Alabama State, and fourth showdown with Grambling State. The Spartans own a 2-1 record against the latter squad, including a 70-63 victory over the Tigers at the 2021 Chris Paul HBCU Classic.
Both games will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
LAST TIME OUT
- Northern Kentucky handed Norfolk State its third consecutive loss on Sunday, defeating the Spartans 71-62 at Truist Arena
- Four players paced the Spartans with 12 points each: Christian Ings, Brian Moore Jr., Terrance Jones, and Kuluel Mading
- Josh Dilling led the Norse with 22 points, while Sam Vinson added 21 points by converting 13-of-15 free throws
- Northern Kentucky outrebounded Norfolk State 35-32
- Jalen Myers led the Spartans on the glass with seven rebounds
- Northern Kentucky tallied eight blocks, while Norfolk State recorded three
- NSU outscored NKU 34-24 in the paint
- Sunday’s game featured eight lead changes and 10 ties
ALL-TIMES SERIES
- Thursday will mark the first-ever meeting between the Alabama State and Norfolk State men’s basketball programs
- Friday will mark the fourth meeting between Norfolk State and Grambling State
- Norfolk State faced Grambling State at the 2021 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge, coming away with a 70-63 victory
- Kris Bankston fueled the Spartans in their last meeting with Grambling State, producing a 20-point, 10-rebound double double after shooting 6-of-6 from the free throw line
HORNET GUIDE
- Alabama State enters Thursday’s contest with a 4-6 overall record
- The Hornets earned a 103-93 overtime victory over UT Martin in their last test
- Five Hornets scored in double figures against UT Martin, headlined by 23 points from Amarr Knox and 20 points from Micah Simpson
- CJ Hines added 17 points and 11 assists against the Skyhawks
- Knox leads the Hornets with 15.8 points per game, while Hines follows closely behind at 15.1 points per contest
- Alabama State competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
TIGER SCOUT
- Grambling State enters the event with a 2-7 record
- The Tigers look to break a two-game losing streak after dropping contests with Pepperdine and Southeastern Louisiana
- Antwan Burnett leads the Tigers with 13.7 points per game, shooting 50.0 percent from behind the arc
- Grambling State competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
| NORFOLK STATE [6-6] vs. ALABAMA STATE [4-6] | vs. GRAMBLING STATE [2-7] | |
| Date / Time | Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 | 5 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 | 4 p.m. |
| Location | Uncasville, Conn. | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Conn. | Mohegan Sun Arena |
| Tickets | Purchase Tickets Here | Purchase Tickets Here |
| TV / Streaming | ESPNU | ESPNU |
| Live Stats | TBD | TBD |
| RADIO | Hot 91.1 FM | Hot 91.1 FM |
| GAME NOTES | Norfolk State Notes | Norfolk State Notes |
| All-Time Series | First Meeting | NSU Leads 2-1 |
| First Meeting | N/A | GSU 111, NSU 110 [1965-66] |
| Last Meeting | N/A | NSU 70, GSU 63 [2021-22] |
| Series Current Streak | N/A | NSU – 2 |
| Social Media | Twitter – X | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter – X | Instagram | Facebook |