The Norfolk State Spartans and the Wichita State Shockers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Charles Koch Arena. Norfolk State is currently 9-2 this year and lost to Hampton in their last game. As for the Shockers, they’re sitting at 6-2 so far. Wichita State is coming off a loss to Kansas State. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Norfolk State got off to a nice 5-0 start this year before taking their first loss to Xavier in a blowout on November 21. The Spartans then took out Regent VA, Hampton, Grambling State and UNC Wilmington before a loss to Hampton last weekend.
In the second Hampton matchup, Norfolk State trailed 33-25 at the break. The Spartans got better in the second half but couldn’t close it out in a 58-57 loss. Joe Bryant was tops in scoring with 15 points and five rebounds.
Over on the Wichita State side, they beat Jacksonville State, South Alabama and Tarleton State before their first loss to Arizona. The Shockers then won three more over UNLV, Missouri and Oklahoma State prior to loss number two versus Kansas State.
Back on Sunday against the Wildcats, Wichita State fell behind 32-30 in the first half and 33-29 from there in a 65-59 defeat. Tops in scoring for the Shockers was Morris Udeze with 19 points and seven rebounds. Tyson Etienne added 11 points as well.
The Shockers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven at home and 2-6-1 ATS in the last nine Saturday games. Wichita State is 2-6 ATS in their last eight as a favorite.
Meanwhile, the Spartans are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 overall and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after an ATS loss. The under is 4-1 in Norfolk State’s last five overall.
PICK: I’m going to take a shot on Norfolk State here. The Spartans had been putting up some good points totals before their loss last weekend, scoring 70 or more in six of seven games. Norfolk State was pretty flat against Hampton however, posting just 34.5 percent from the field and 3-of-19 from 3-point range.
As for Wichita State, they shot a tepid 35.2 percent versus Kansas State and were out-rebounded 43-39 in the loss. The Shockers should bounce back better here, but I think Norfolk State can hang around to get the cover.