Game: Norfolk State Spartans vs. Baylor Bears

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Location: Foster Pavilion in Waco, TX

TV: ESPN+

The Norfolk State Spartans (6-4) head to Foster Pavilion on Wednesday to face the Baylor Bears (6-3).

The Norfolk State Spartans took on Hofstra and lost in the final game 80-67. Norfolk State finished the contest with a 38.8% field goal percentage (19 of 49) and sank 5 of its 15 3-pointers. At the free throw line, the Spartans sank 24 of their 26 shots, a rate of 92.3%. In terms of rebounds, they collected a total of 16, including two on offense. They also dished out 9 assists, had 14 turnovers and had 4 steals in the contest. On defense, Norfolk State allowed its opponent to shoot 60.0% from the floor on 27 of 45 shooting. Hofstra dished out 14 assists and had 7 steals in the contest. In addition, Hofstra grabbed 28 rebounds (6 offensive, 22 defensive) but did not have a block. Hofstra shot 75.0% on free throws, converting 15 of its 20 shots. They also knocked down 11 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc. When it comes to personal fouls, the Spartans finished with 19, while Hofstra recorded 22 personal fouls.

Jalen Myers is one of the players who made an impact in this match. He ended up scoring 17 points on 5 of 10 shooting. He was on the court for 34 minutes and also grabbed five rebounds. In the end, he had a shooting rate of 50.0% but was unable to record an assist.

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Norfolk State comes into this contest with a mark of 6-4 this year. They average 77.9 points per contest (143rd in Division 1) and shoot 48.9% from the floor. The Spartans are hitting 35.0% on three-point shots (63 of 180) and 82.1% from the free throw line. As a team, Norfolk State is averaging 33.0 rebounds per game and is averaging 136 dimes this year, ranking them 166th in Division 1 in passing the rock. They turn it over 11.5 times per game and, as a unit, commit 18.9 fouls each night.

Defensively, the Spartans forced 14.0 turnovers in each game while drawing 17.7 fouls. They are shooting 33.2% from beyond the arc while ranking 92nd in college basketball in points allowed per game (67.4). Defensively, the Spartans allow opponents to shoot 40.1% (222 of 553) and give up 32.4 boards per game as a group. With 138 assists given to opponents, they rank 269th nationally this season.

The last time they took the court, the Baylor Bears took the win with a final score of 88-57 when they played Abilene Christian. The Bears grabbed 26 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive rebounds in the game for a total of 35. They also gave up possession nine times and had five steals in the contest. Abilene Christian committed 15 fouls in the match, putting the Bears on the charity stripe for 16 shots. They were able to make 10 of the free throw attempts, a rate of 62.5%. When it comes to three-point shots, Baylor knocked down 8 of its 18 attempts (44.4%). When the final whistle blew, the Bears scored 35 for 59 from the floor, giving them a shooting percentage of 59.3%. The Bears allowed Abilene Christian to convert on 19 of their 55 attempts from the floor, giving them a 34.5% shooting percentage in the game. They finished 14.3% from 3-point land, making 2 of 14, and made 17 of 23 at the free throw line (73.9%). When it comes to attacking the glass, Baylor allowed Abilene Christian to score 27 total (9 on the offensive glass).

Jayden Nunn was important for the Bears in this game. He scored 18 points in his 33 minutes on the hardwood and scored 4 dimes in the contest. He scored 7 of 12 goals in this match, which corresponds to a field goal rate of 58.3%, and collected 4 rebounds.

Baylor has a 6-3 record on the campaign. On offense, the Bears have a shooting percentage of 48.3%, which ranks them 54th in D-1. Baylor has put up 755 points so far this season (83.9 per contest) and they are scoring 35.7 points per game. They receive an assist 16.9 times per game (43rd in Division 1) and convert it 11.0 times per game. The Bears committed 16.0 fouls per contest and made 68.8% of their free throws.

The Baylor defense allows 38.0% of shots from distance (78 of 205) and opponents make 69.0% of their free throws. They allow 15.6 assists and 31.4 boards per game, which ranks them 330th and 54th in college basketball. Defensively, the Bears rank 195th in Division 1 with 71.6 points given up per game. They are capable of forcing 14.7 TOs each game and have allowed teams to shoot 45.7% from the field shoot (309th in D-1).

Who will win the NCAA basketball game against the spread tonight?

Josh Schonwald’s pick: Take Baylor

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