The Norfolk State Spartans host Long Island on Wednesday, looking to build on their 6-4 mark against the 5-5 Blackbirds in college hoops action at Echols Hall.

The Spartans sport records of 6-4 and 3-0 ATS heading into this battle, while the Blackbirds have 5-5 and 0-0 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 0-3 for the Spartans and 0-0 for the Blackbirds.



View Long Island vs Norfolk State Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
It's a betting matchup between the No. 75-rated Spartans and the No. 215-ranked Blackbirds, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark. Prediction formulas run on this game indicate a possible 70-68 result in favor of the Spartans.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Norfolk State has the nation's No. 253-rated offensive output, at 64.4 PPG. The visiting Blackbirds defense ranks No. 323 allowing on average 76.9 PPG. The Spartans FG% has averaged 44% so far, less than the Blackbirds marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.9% per game.

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Long Island owns the country's No. 278-rated mark, allowing 77.6 points per game on the highway. Norfolk State, on the other hand, rates No. 269 in scoring at home.

Long Island was a 63-53 loser in its last match on the road against Columbia. The Blackbirds endured a 63-53 loss at the hands of the Lions on Saturday, despite an 18 -point effort from Jamal Olasewere at Levien Gym.

Norfolk State lost its last outing, a 73-60 result against Virginia Tech on December 11. Norfolk State got 18 points from Chris McEachin but lost anyway, 73-60, to Virginia Tech on Sunday at Cassell Coliseum.

Next up:
Long Island home to Saint Peter's, Saturday, December 17
Norfolk State at Illinois State, Sunday, December 18