North Carolina Central (12-17) vs Norfolk State (20-9)
Game Info: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm (McDougald-McLendon Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: North Carolina Central +5.5 — Over/Under: 149.5
The Norfolk State Spartans are visiting the North Carolina Central Eagles on Monday, March 3rd at the McDougald-McLendon Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Norfolk State Spartans vs North Carolina Central Eagles Prediction. We will examine:
The North Carolina Central Eagles’ recent form and player performance
The Norfolk State Spartans’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the North Carolina Central Eagles
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Norfolk State Spartans
Recent betting trends in games played between the Norfolk State Spartans and North Carolina Central Eagles
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Norfolk State Spartans vs North Carolina Central Eagles game
North Carolina Central Eagles Preview
The North Carolina Central Eagles have a 12-17 record this season and are sitting in 6th place in the MEAC. North Carolina Central is coming off a 72-68 win over Howard. The Eagles are 10-14-1 against the spread, and 16-9 in over/under while having a 9-4 home record.
Offensively, North Carolina Central is averaging 79 points per game, which ranks 59th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74.6 points per game (263rd). The Eagles shoot 45.7% from the field (126th) and 35.3% from beyond the arc (105th). The Eagles shoot 68.5% from the free-throw line (300th) and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game (245th).
Po’Boigh King leads North Carolina Central in scoring this season, with an average of 16.7 points, while Keishon Porter adds 10.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Norfolk State Spartans Preview
The Norfolk State Spartans have a 20-9 record this season and are sitting in first place in the MEAC. Norfolk State is coming off an 88-91 loss to South Carolina State. The Spartans are 16-10 against the spread, and 13-13 in over/under, while having a 7-8 road record.
Offensively, Norfolk State is averaging 77.9 points per game, which is 80th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 68.8 points per game (85th). The Spartans shoot 48.9% from the field (16th) and 34.1% from beyond the arc (182nd). The Spartans shoot 75.5% from the free-throw line (61st) and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game (207th).
Brain Moore leads Norfolk State in scoring with an average of 18.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Christian Ings adds 11.8 points and a team-high 3.3 assists.
Why the North Carolina Central Eagles will win
- The home team has won 13 of North Carolina Central’s last 14 games.
- Norfolk State has lost each of its last five games at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
- North Carolina Central has won the first half in 18 of its last 21 night games at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
Why the Norfolk State Spartans will win
- Norfolk State has won eight of its last nine games.
- North Carolina Central has lost each of its last four night games.
- The road team has won the first half in each of North Carolina Central’s last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Thirteen of the last 16 games between Norfolk State and North Carolina Central have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
- Four of Norfolk State’s last five night games against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference have produced a total of 152+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- North Carolina Central ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (16.6).
- North Carolina Central ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.74).
- Norfolk State ranks 355th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (16.9).
- Norfolk State ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (48.9%).
Norfolk State Spartans vs North Carolina Central Eagles Prediction
Norfolk State is 5-2 in their last 7 meetings against North Carolina Central, and are 4-2-1 against the spread in their last 6 meetings. Over is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings, and in their most recent meeting earlier this season, Norfolk State won 81-78 at home, not covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.
In this Norfolk State Spartans vs North Carolina Central Eagles Prediction, Norfolk State is coming as a -5.5 road favorites. Norfolk State is rightfully favored, as they have a superior record this season, but they have been mediocre on the road, while North Carolina Central has been very good at home. The Eagles have been struggling lately, as they are 2-5 in their last 7 games, and 2-5 against the spread, while the Spartans are 8-1 in their last 9 games. Norfolk State has been dominating North Carolina Central in recent years and has already won them once this season, so I trust them to get the job done today as well. Take the Norfolk State Spartans and lay the points on the road.