The Norfolk State Spartans will try to remain in third place in the MEAC standings when they face the North Carolina Central Eagles on Monday night. Norfolk State has won five of its last seven games, including an 82-68 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. North Carolina Central is on a two-game losing streak following a 71-67 setback against Howard its last time out.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Spartans are favored by 5.5 points in the latest Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 138.5. Before entering any North Carolina Central vs. Norfolk State picks, you'll want to see the college basketball predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 13 of the season 50-29 on all top-rated college basketball picks, returning more than $1,200 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds for Norfolk State vs. NC Central:
- Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central spread: Norfolk State -5.5
- Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central over/under: 138 points
- Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central money line: Norfolk State -225, North Carolina Central +185
- Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central picks: See picks here
Why Norfolk State can cover
Norfolk State has been consistently winning games throughout the season, particularly in conference play. The Spartans have won five of their last seven games coming into this matchup, cruising to an 82-68 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. Veteran guard Joe Bryant Jr. poured in 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Norfolk State, which is sitting in third place in the MEAC standings.
Bryant leads the Spartans with 16.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while senior forward Kris Bankston is averaging 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds. The Spartans have been dominant at home, going 19-1 in their last 20 games at Echols Hall. North Carolina Central continues to struggle away from home, winning just once in its last 12 road games.
Why NC Central can cover
Norfolk State has had some issues pop up over the past few weeks, losing to Howard as an 8.5-point home favorite on Jan. 14 and falling to Morgan State as a 5.5-point favorite last Monday. The Spartans have only covered the spread once in their last five games. North Carolina Central has controlled the head-to-head series over the past decade, going 10-5 in the last 15 meetings.
The Eagles have also covered the spread in five of the last seven games between these teams, so they have been the side to back in this matchup. Junior guard Justin Wright leads North Carolina Central with 15.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Senior center Brendan Medley-Bacon is scoring 11.3 points and grabbing 5.4 rebounds, while senior forward Kris Monroe is chipping in 10.2 points and 5.5 boards.
How to make NC Central vs. Norfolk State picks
The model has simulated Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins North Carolina Central vs. Norfolk State? And which side of the spread hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is 50-29 on its top-rated college basketball picks this season, and find out.
