Norfolk State Spartans vs South Carolina State Bulldogs Prediction, 1/17/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Norfolk State Spartans vs South Carolina State Bulldogs

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Location: Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center in Orangeburg, SC

TV: ESPN+

The Norfolk State Spartans (7-12) are traveling to Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on Saturday where they will compete against the South Carolina State Bulldogs (3-15).

The Norfolk State Spartans played Maryland Eastern Shore and took a loss by a score of 74-70 in their last game. In relation to personal fouls, the Spartans ended up finishing with 24 while Maryland Eastern Shore accounted for 22 personal fouls. They also knocked down 6 out of their 21 attempts from beyond the perimeter. Maryland Eastern Shore finished the game at 75.7% from the free throw line by making 28 of 37 tries. In addition, Maryland Eastern Shore pulled down 28 boards (10 offensive, 18 defensive), but wasn't able to put a block in the stat sheet. Maryland Eastern Shore distributed 13 dimes and had 6 steals for the game. When discussing defense, Norfolk State let their opponent shoot 40.8% from the field on 20 of 49 shooting. They also dished out 13 assists in this matchup while creating 9 turnovers and having 7 steals. When it comes to pulling down boards, they earned 26 with 9 of them being of the offensive variety. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Spartans made 23 of 33 attempts for a percentage of 69.7%. Norfolk State finished the contest having earned a 45.8% FG percentage (22 of 48) and converted 3 out of their 13 shots from beyond the arc.

Elijah Jamison is one guy who was a major contributor for the game. He finished the game shooting 57.1% from the floor and recorded 6 assists. He was on the court for 28 mins played and also grabbed 3 rebounds. He ended up finishing with 15 points on 4 out of 7 shooting.

Get all of our NCAA Picks Today

Norfolk State heads into this matchup with a record of 7-12 on the season. They currently have an average of 73.8 points per contest (255th in D-1) while hitting 45.4% from the field. The Spartans are shooting 32.4% from downtown (107 of 330) and 65.3% from the free throw line. As a unit, Norfolk State is pulling in 35.7 boards per contest and has accounted for 229 assists so far this year, which is 247th in the country in terms of passing the rock. They turn it over 12.1 times per contest and as a squad they are committing 19.2 personal fouls per game.

On the defensive end, the Spartans have forced 12.9 turnovers per game while drawing 17.5 personal fouls. They currently rank 336th in the nation in giving up assists to their opponents with 288 relinquished this season. The Spartans defense is giving up a FG percentage of 43.4% (464 of 1,069) and they concede 34.4 rebounds per contest as a team. They are conceding 30.6% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are ranked 164th in college in points per game allowed (72.7).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the South Carolina State Bulldogs walked away with a victory by a final of 74-72 against Coppin State. In regard to rebounding, South Carolina State allowed Coppin State to pull down 31 overall (15 on the offensive glass). They shot 38.5% from behind the 3-point line by hitting 10 of 26 and ended up shooting 26 out of 35 from the free throw line (74.3%). The Bulldogs permitted Coppin State to make 18 out of 50 tries from the field which left them with a rate of 36.0% for the game. When the final whistle was blown, the Bulldogs went 22 for 43 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 51.2%. When it comes to three-point attempts, South Carolina State buried 9 of their 17 tries (52.9%). They were able to bury 21 of the free throws for a rate of 61.8%. Coppin State earned 26 fouls in the matchup which took the Bulldogs to the charity stripe for 34 attempts. They turned it over 12 times, while earning 9 steals for this contest. The Bulldogs were able to corral 20 defensive boards and 7 offensive rebounds for a total of 27 in the matchup.

Noah Treadwell pitched in for the Bulldogs in this matchup. He made 6 out of 12 in this game giving him a rate of 50.0%, and accounted for 2 rebounds. He recorded 19 points in his 24 minutes on the court and tallied 3 dimes in the game.

South Carolina State has a mark of 3-15 so far this season. When it comes to offense, the Bulldogs are hitting on 40.5% from the floor, which ranks 341st in the nation. South Carolina State has accounted for 1,176 pts for the season (65.3 per contest) and they average 31.4 boards per game. They are dishing out assists 11.4 times per contest (336th in D-1) and they turn it over 14.9 times per contest. The Bulldogs are committing 22.1 fouls every game and they go 62.4% from the free throw line.

The Bulldogs on the defensive end are ranked 350th in college in PPG given up with 84.3. They are able to force 12.1 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 48.2% from the field (345th in D-1). The South Carolina State defense allows 33.0% from downtown (145 of 439) and their opposition knocks down 72.1% of their shots from the free throw line. They concede 17.2 dimes and 37.8 total rebounds per game, which ranks 352nd and 321st in college.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take South Carolina State

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get college basketball picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.