Spartans to Battle Two SWAC Opponents at Chris Paul HBCU Classic

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)