South Carolina State Bulldogs vs Norfolk State Spartans Prediction, 3/12/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: South Carolina State Bulldogs vs Norfolk State Spartans

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Location: Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA

TV: ESPN+

The South Carolina State Bulldogs (9-21) are en route to Norfolk Scope Arena on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Norfolk State Spartans (15-16) in the MEAC Tournament.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs faced North Carolina Central and earned the victory with a final of 80-64 in their last game. South Carolina State walked away from the game having earned a 44.8% field goal percentage (26 of 58) and converted 10 of their 22 shots from downtown. From the charity stripe, the Bulldogs made 18 of 28 attempts for a percentage of 64.3%. With respect to rebounding, they compiled a total of 39 with 12 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 17 dimes in the matchup as well as forcing the other team into 11 turnovers and earning 4 steals. When discussing defense, South Carolina State allowed the other team to go 32.8% from the floor on 19 of 58 shooting. North Carolina Central doled out 5 dimes and had 8 steals in the game. Moreover, North Carolina Central collected 36 rebounds (13 offensive, 23 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. North Carolina Central walked away from this one shooting 71.4% at the charity stripe by knocking down 20 of 28 shots. They made 6 of their 24 attempts from distance. In regard to fouls, the Bulldogs ended up walking away with 21 and North Carolina Central finished the game with 22 fouls.

Noah Treadwell is a guy who played a role for this game. He finished the game shooting 45.5% from the field but finished the game without a dime. He played for 25 mins played and collected 2 rebounds. He scored 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting.

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South Carolina State enters this game with a win-loss record of 9-21 for the year. They are losing possession via turnover 14.6 times per game and as a squad they commit 21.2 fouls per game. As a unit, South Carolina State is pulling in 30.9 boards per contest and has accounted for 362 dimes on the campaign, which is 335th in the nation in terms of passing. The Bulldogs are shooting 33.8% on shots from 3-point land (184 of 545) and 66.6% from the free throw line. They currently have an average of 66.6 points per outing (349th in the country) on 41.0% from the floor.

When they are on defense, the Bulldogs are able to force 13.2 turnovers every game and they draw 19.5 fouls. They are currently ranked 251st in college hoops in giving up assists with 451 conceded so far this season. The Bulldogs defense is giving up a FG percentage of 46.9% (775 of 1,654) and they surrender 34.9 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are giving up 34.2% on 3-pointers while they are 308th in college hoops in opponents points per game (78.7).

When they last stepped on the court, the Norfolk State Spartans walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 84-76 when they faced Howard. In regard to how they rebounded, Norfolk State allowed Howard to collect 23 in all (5 offensive). They went 54.5% from 3-point land by shooting 12 out of 22 and ended up going 20 of 26 from the free throw line (76.9%). The Spartans permitted Howard to knock down 26 of 50 tries from the floor which had them shooting 52.0% in this game. When this game wrapped up, the Spartans shot 30 for 63 from the field which had them at 47.6%. Concerning shots from 3-point land, Norfolk State knocked down 2 of 14 attempts (14.3%). They were able to make 14 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 82.4%. Howard was called for 16 fouls in this matchup which took the Spartans to the charity stripe for 17 shots. They turned it over 8 times, while recording 8 steals in the game. The Spartans recorded 18 defensive boards and 7 offensive rebounds totaling 25 in this matchup.

Devon Ellis ended up being a major contributor for the Spartans in this contest. He earned 22 points in his 31 mins on the court and had 1 assist for this game. He converted 9 of 11 in this contest for a field goal percentage of 81.8%, and had 6 rebounds.

Norfolk State has a win-loss record of 15-16 on the campaign. The Spartans are responsible for committing 19.4 fouls every game and they go 68.6% from the free throw line. They are getting an assist 12.0 times per game (316th in college) and they are turning it over 12.1 times per game. Norfolk State has earned 2,363 points on the year (76.2 per contest) and they average 34.8 rebounds per contest. As an offensive team, the Spartans are hitting on 46.5% from the floor, which is ranked 107th in the country.

The Spartans defensively are ranked 168th in college in PPG given up with 73.4. They are forcing 13.6 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 44.0% from the field (165th in the nation). The Norfolk State defense allows 32.6% on 3-point attempts (239 of 733) and their opponents are knocking down 72.1% of their foul shots. They have conceded 14.2 dimes and 32.8 boards per game, which is ranked 250th and 82nd in the country.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Norfolk State

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