Norfolk State vs. Florida March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 16 vs. No. 1 matchup in the NCAA Tournament West Region, the Norfolk State Spartans face the Florida Gators in first-round action.
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How to Watch Norfolk State vs. Florida
When: 6:50 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st
Where: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina
Watch: TNT
Odds for Norfolk State vs. Florida
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Florida -27.5 (-115), Norfolk State +27.5 (-105)
Total: Over 153.5 (-110), Under 153.5 (-110)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Norfolk State vs. Florida Matchup Page
Norfolk State vs. Florida Preview & Prediction
Norfolk State enters the NCAA Tournament after a strong MEAC Tournament victory, but their road ahead is steep. The Spartans have found themselves matched up against Florida, one of the top teams in the country. While the Spartans have made a habit of strong regular seasons, their tournament history has been marked by tough losses. After their memorable upset over Missouri in 2012, Norfolk State has continued to struggle when faced with elite competition, falling to powerhouses like Gonzaga, Baylor, and Tennessee in recent years.
This year’s Norfolk State squad is typical of their past teams: solid defensively and decent on the boards but limited offensively, especially beyond the arc. They don’t shoot the 3 well, and while they force turnovers, that won’t be enough to overcome Florida’s well-rounded game. Under Todd Golden, Florida will likely overpower the Spartans early on, as he won’t want to waste any time that could lead to more minutes for his top players. It’s hard to see a scenario where Florida doesn’t run away with this one, and the only question may be how long Golden keeps his starters on the floor as they aim to secure an easy first-round win.
Florida enters the tournament with more optimism than they’ve had in years. Their top-10 ranking in both offensive and defensive efficiency marks them as one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the field. It’s been a long seven years since the Gators made it past the first weekend, but this squad has the tools to end that drought. With a mix of efficient shooting, stout defense, and strong ball control, Florida has everything it needs to make a deep run. They excel at defending both the rim and the 3-point line, and their offensive game is equally potent, relying on high-percentage shots at the basket and from deep.
Under Golden, Florida has embraced an analytical approach that has paid dividends, especially in tough conference play. Their recent SEC Tournament victory solidified their standing as one of the most dangerous teams. After this, a potential showdown with UConn or Oklahoma looms, but with their blend of talent and tactical approach, Florida is positioned for a serious run—perhaps even all the way to the Final Four.
Estimated Score: Florida 90, Norfolk State 65
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