The Norfolk State Spartans will try to cover the spread at Echols Hall on Sunday when they get a visit from the UMBC Retrievers in NCAA basketball action.

The Spartans are 5-5 so far on the season, and 0-2 ATS vs. the number. The Retrievers, meanwhile, are 2-7 and 0-0 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Norfolk State go 0-0 and the Retrievers go 0-0 on the totals.



View UMBC vs Norfolk State Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game matches up the No. 175 (Spartans) and the No. 274 (Retrievers) teams in the league, according to our current NCAAB power rank. A 66-61 result in favor of the Spartans has been projected by the scores prediction engine.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Norfolk State's No. 239-ranked scoring average of 64.5 PPG, against a Retrievers defense rated No. 306 and allowing 74.7 PPG. The Spartans FG% has averaged 40.8% to date this season, less than the Retrievers shooters have managed so far (41.9% per game).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, UMBC owns the country's No. 310-rated mark, allowing 79.8 points per game on the highway. Norfolk State, on the other hand, rates No. 26 in scoring at home.

UMBC lost its last outing, a 73-70 result against American on December 6. UMBC suffered a 73-70 loss against American on Thursday, getting 24 points from Ryan Cook in a losing effort at RAC Arena.

In their last action, Norfolk State was a 78-72 Sportsbook on the road against South Carolina State. Norfolk State earned a 78-72 victory over South Carolina State on Monday, getting 21 points from Malcolm Hawkins at SHM Memorial Center.

Next up:
UMBC home to Coppin State, Wednesday, December 12
Norfolk State at Illinois, Tuesday, December 11