The Norfolk State Spartans and the San Jose Spartans meet in college basketball action from the UVI Sports & Fitness Center on Saturday afternoon.
Norfolk State Takes First Loss
The Norfolk State Spartans come into this one looking to rebound from their first loss of the season after a 77-64 loss to Fordham last time out. Jamarii Thomas leads the Spartans in scoring and assists with 17 PPG and 2.7 APG along with 3.7 RPG while Jaylani Darden has 12 PPG with a team-high 7.7 RPG to lead the Spartans on the glass this season. Allen Bertrand has 11 PPG with 4.7 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Norfolk State up to this point in the year while Kuluel Mading has 9.3 PPG with 5.3 RPG as well for Norfolk State so far this season. As a team, Norfolk State is averaging 89 PPG on 47.2% shooting from the field, 31% from three and 72% from the foul line this season.
San Jose State Drops Back-To-Back Games
The San Jose State Spartans come into this one on the heels of a 77-71 loss to Abilene Christian in their last matchup. Tibet Gorener leads the Spartans in scoring with 14.3 PPG along with 5.7 RPG while Trey Anderson has 13.7 PPG with 5.3 RPG. Alvaro Cardenas has 13 PPG with a team-high 6.3 APG to lead the Spartans in the assist department up to this point in the year, while also rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for San Jose State so far this season. Adrame Diongue also has a team-high 7 RPG while Myron Amey Jr. has 9.7 PPG and 4 RPG this season. As a team, San Jose State is averaging 77 PPG on 47.8% shooting from the field, 28.9% from three and 73.6% from the foul line this season.
Chris’ Pick
I’m backing San Jose State here. I get the allure of backing Norfolk State after a strong start to the year, but San Jose State’s played a much tougher schedule to this point and compared to Norfolk State, San Jose State is just the far more efficient team on both ends of the floor. I like the San Jose State defense as well and I think Norfolk State’s just in for a rough time here. Give me San Jose State laying the points.
