Maryland-Eastern Shore vs Norfolk State 1/17/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Norfolk State Spartans will travel to the Hytche Athletic Center to take on the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks this Monday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Norfolk State Spartans won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 11-4 on the season after defeating the Howard Bison, 77-74, this past Saturday. Norfolk State led by a 38-32 margin at halftime and was able to hang on the 2^nd half to pick up the conference victory. Norfolk State shot 42.1% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Howard to shoot 41.1% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Spartans was Joe Bryant Jr. who had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, & 2 steals.

On the season, Norfolk State is averaging 74.7 ppg on 45.6% shooting from the field. The Spartans are averaging 5.8 three-pointers per game on 32.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Norfolk State has been led by Joe Bryant Jr. (15.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.5 spg), Kris Bankston (11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 spg), Jalen Hawkins (10.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.3 spg), & Christian Ings (9.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Norfolk State is holding their opponents to an average of 63.4 ppg on 37.4% shooting from the field. The Spartans have a rebound margin of 4.8 and a turnover margin of 2.1.

The Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks had their 3-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 5-6 on the season after being defeated by the Charlotte 49ers, 70-54, on December 20^th. Maryland-Eastern Shore struggled on the offensive end on the road vs. Charlotte and could not fight back after the 49ers took a 57-45 lead with 6:45 left in regulation. Maryland-Eastern Shore shot 29.9% from the field & 23.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Charlotte to shoot 45.1% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hawks was Zion Styles who had 15 points, 6 rebounds, & 2 assists.

On the season, Maryland-Eastern Shore is averaging 70.6 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Hawks are averaging 7.7 three-pointers per game on 32.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Maryland-Eastern Shore has been led by Zion Styles (11.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.5 spg), Dom London (11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg), Da’Shawn Phillip (9.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.4 spg), & Nathaniel Pollard Jr. (8.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 spg).

Defensviely, Maryland-Eastern Shore is holding their opponents to an average of 64.8 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Eagles have a rebound margin of 1.3 and a turnover margin of 3.5.

The Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record & 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.  The Hawks are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Norfolk State has been sold on both ends of the court this season as the Spartans come into this game ranked 118^th in scoring offense, t-50^th in scoring defense, & 7^th in defensive FG%. Maryland-Eastern Shore has been led by their defense which ranks 78^th in scoring defense & 11^th in steals per game, however, the offense has struggled and currently ranks 215^th in scoring offense & 248^th in FG%.

Maryland-Eastern Shore hasn’t played a game in almost a month and as although their defense has played, I just don’t see the Hawks doing much offensively against a tough Norfolk defense. I expect this to be a competitive game early, however, as I think the Spartans pull away in the 2^nd half and win this one around 8-10 points, I’m taking Norfolk State to cover. Good Luck!