Norfolk State Spartans betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

MEAC Tournament: Norfolk State vs. Howard odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Norfolk State vs. Howard odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3-seeded Norfolk State Spartans (22-10) face the 1-seeded Howard Bison (21-12) Saturday in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Tip from Norfolk Scope Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Norfolk State vs. Howard odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Spartans rallied past the 2nd-seed North Carolina Central Friday, winning 72-65 in overtime as 1-point favorites as the Over (136.5) connected. Norfolk State covered the spread in both of its games in the MEAC Tournament.

The Bison rumbled to a 74-55 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore Friday and have won their 2 tourney games by an average margin of 27.5 points. Howard has also covered both tournament games, while cashing the Under in each, limiting both opponents to 55 points.

Howard crushed visiting Norfolk State 87-67 in its regular-season finale on March 2, and it nipped the Spartans 86-84 as a 9-point road underdog in the first meeting on Jan. 14. The Over cashed in both regular-season meetings.

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Norfolk State vs. Howard odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:44 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Norfolk State -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Howard +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
Against the spread (ATS): Norfolk State -1.5 (-115) | Howard +1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Norfolk State vs. Howard picks and predictions

Prediction

Howard 78, Norfolk State 75

Moneyline

HOWARD (+110) swept the regular-season series, and its beating of Norfolk State by 20 points in the season finale is surely fresh in the mind of both sides.

Although Norfolk Scope Arena is a neutral court there should still be a pro-Spartans crowd to work against the Bison a little. However, Howard has been so very dominant in this tournament and appears to be on a mission to the Big Dance. Howard has won its last 3 games by at least 19 points.

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Against the spread

There is little reason to play Howard +1.5 (-105) rather than on the moneyline unless you are dead-set on this game being a 1-point victory for Norfolk State. Just take the better value on the outright win.

PASS.

Over/Under

OVER 146.5 (-105) is the lean as we saw the total go high in each of the 2 regular-season meetings.

The Over is 16-5 in the past 21 games overall for Norfolk State and has cashed in Howard’s last 4 games against winning teams.

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Norfolk State at Houston odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Norfolk State at Houston odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Norfolk State Spartans (5-2) and the No. 1 Houston Cougars (6-0) meet Tuesday at Fertitta Center in Houston. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Norfolk State vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The Spartans of Norfolk State from the MEAC are battled tested and won’t be fazed by a trip to face the newly-minted No. 1 team in the nation. This is a team that has traveled to Baylor and to UCLA already and scored a nice road win at Monmouth.

The Cougars squeaked by Kent State 49-44 over the weekend despite shooting just 32.0% (16 of 50), including a dismal 11.8% (2 of 17) from downtown. Houston also turned the ball over 23 times, although it outrebounded Kent State 56-33. Houston had opened 5-0 ATS in its first 5 outings before failing to as 19-point favorites against the Golden Flashes Saturday.

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Norfolk State at Houston odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:37 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Off the board
Against the spread (ATS): Norfolk State +24.5 (-108) | Houston -24.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 125.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Norfolk State at Houston picks and predictions

Prediction

Houston 76, Norfolk State 49

Moneyline

There was no moneyline at the time of publishing, but it wouldn’t be worth pursuing even if one is released before tip-off.

Against the spread

HOUSTON -24.5 (-112) is the new No. 1 team in the nation, and it will handle itself much better than last time out against Kent State.

It actually showed a lot of grit and determination in the win against the Golden Flashes despite shooting poorly and turning the ball over frequently. It won’t face nearly as much resistance from the MEAC’s Spartans, who rank 273rd in the nation in 3-pointer defense at just 35.8%. Norfolk State is also allowing 67.7 PPG.

Over/Under

UNDER 125.5 (-110) is the lean, although play it lightly.

Houston has the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation during the early going, yielding just 47.3 PPG. It is also the top team in terms of defensive field-goal percentage at 29.1%, while ranking No. 2 with just 20.0% allowed from behind the 3-point line. The Under is 5-1 to start the season for Houston. Norfolk State won’t be able to generate much in the way of offense and should not get out of the 40s.

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March Madness: Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions, best bets.

The No. 16 seed Norfolk State Spartans (24-6) and No. 1 seed Baylor Bears (26-6) meet Thursday in a East Region first-round game of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Spartans won the MEAC Tournament with a convincing 72-57 win over Coppin State in the Final. The average margin of victory in the three-game tourney was 10.7 points, but now they’re facing the defending national champs. This is the same NSU team that lost by 40 at Xavier (88-48) Nov. 21.

The Bears were given the boot by Oklahoma in their first game of the Big 12 Tournament, but that still didn’t cost them a one-seed. Baylor enters with non-covers in the past two games, and it hasn’t lost consecutive games all season.

See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:06 a.m. ET.

Money line: Norfolk State +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100) | Baylor -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Norfolk State +20.5 (-108) | Baylor -20.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Baylor 92, Norfolk State 58

Money line

Baylor (-3000) will cost you 30 times your potential return, and that’s not worth the risk. It’s almost a sure thing as 1-seed has lost to a 16-seed just one time ever in the NCAA Tournament, but you would need to risk $100 to win just $3.33. Sorry, Norfolk State, but you’re no UMBC.

PASS.

Against the spread

BAYLOR -20.5 (-112) is the play here.

The defending champs aren’t going to come out and toy with Norfolk State. These are the defending champs, and the Bears have more than enough firepower to slay the Spartans even with leading scorer G LJ Cryer (foot) out for the first weekend of March Madness. Baylor will give the Spartans nothing, but take from them everything!

Over/Under

The OVER 137.5 (-115) is the play.

Norfolk State isn’t going to be able to roll up much offense on Baylor, but the Bears are going to get this tune-up game to work on the offense as some reserves a chance to shine on the big stage. Baylor could potentially flirt with triple digits.

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March Madness: Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State odds and lines, with March Madness Round X picks and predictions.

The Norfolk State Spartans (16-7) take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (17-11) in a West Region First Four game Thursday night. Tip-off will be at 8:40 p.m. ET at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Below, we analyze the Norfolk State-Appalachian State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Norfolk State carries a six-game win streak into its first tournament game since 2012. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion struggles in shooting the ball inside the perimeter, but the Spartans knock down 3-pointers at a hefty 36.8% clip and get to the free-throw line with great frequency. The triples and singles add up: NSU ranked second in MEAC scoring at 75.2 points per game.

Appalachian State turned around a late-season slide to win four straight games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Mountaineers scored two overtime wins in that tourney. The winner of Thursday’s NSU-ASU game will advance to take on No. 1 Gonzaga Saturday night.

Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Appalachian State -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Norfolk State +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
Against the spread/ATS: Appalachian State -3 (-110) | Norfolk State +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 133.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Norfolk State 65, Appalachian State 62

Money line (ML)

The Mountaineers have played the tougher schedule this season and they endured a five-game losing streak from Jan. 29-Feb. 23. Since then, ASU has won five of six games; three of those wins were of the OT variety.

The Spartans are much the better 3-point shooting squad and perimeter defense is a blind spot for Appy State. NSU is on a solid momentum swing.

TAKE NORFOLK STATE (+135).

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Against the spread (ATS)

NSU is 8-1 ATS since Jan. 30. That includes a six-game ATS win streak.

TAKE NORFOLK STATE +3 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Spartans have played tremendous defense of late in holding opponents to a 37.8% mark from the floor and forcing 17.0 turnovers per game in six games since Feb. 13. Norfolk has come up with a respectable (and improved) 3.7 blocks per game over that same span. The Under is 4-1 on their last five games with a projected total.

Add in Appalachian State’s slow tempo, and there is value to be leveraged on the UNDER 133.5 (-110).

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