UCLA vs. Norfolk State: How to Watch, Game Info, Betting Odds

With a few ranked opponents right around the corner, the Bruins are set to face off against one of last year's most dominant conference champions.

WHO: UCLA vs. Norfolk State

DATE: Monday, Nov. 14

TIME: 7:05 p.m. PT

LOCATION: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA

TV: Pac-12 Networks – J.B. Long (play-by-play), Don MacLean (analyst)

STREAMING: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

RADIO: AM 1150, Sirius Ch. 85 or Ch. 197, SXM App 959 – Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Tracy Murray (analyst)

SPREAD: UCLA -21 (-110), Norfolk State +21 (-118)*

MONEY LINE: UCLA -5000, Norfolk State +1400*

OVER/UNDER: O 142.5 (-118), U 142.5 (-110)*

UCLA came in at No. 8 in the most recent AP Poll and No. 7 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll, and is currently No. 11 in the KenPom rankings. Norfolk State did not appear in either poll, and currently ranks No. 162 in the KenPom.

The Bruins are the heavy favorite to win the Pac-12 this season, earning the No. 1 spot in the preseason media poll. The Spartans, on the other hand, emerged as the near-unanimous selection to win the MEAC in the preseason poll voted on by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.

UCLA is led by coach Mick Cronin, who is in his fourth season with the program. Cronin boasts a 70-30 record since arriving in Westwood and a 435-201 record as a head coach overall including his stints at Murray State and Cincinnati.

In 2022, UCLA finished 27-8, earning second-place in both the Pac-12 regular season standings and conference tournament before reaching the Sweet 16 and losing to eventual national championship runner-up North Carolina. The Bruins finished No. 11 in the KenPom rankings, boasting the No. 12 adjusted offense and No. 16 adjusted defense in the country.

UCLA averaged 75.4 points per game last season, which ranked No. 59 in the country and No. 2 in the Pac-12. The defense allowed 64.2 points per game, which ranked No. 42 in the country and No. 1 in the Pac-12.

Seniors Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell are the most prominent returning players on the roster, with both veterans in the running for All-American spots. Five-star freshmen Amari Bailey and Adem Bona have joined the lineup as well, with sharpshooter David Singleton, do-it-all defensive ace Jaylen Clark, Italian transplant Abramo Canka and a handful of injury returnees making up the supporting cast.

UCLA beat Sacramento State 76-50 in the season opener, then followed that up with a 93-69 win over Long Beach State on Friday. Clark is leading the Bruins in most major categories with 16.5 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game and 5.5 steals per game.

Norfolk State is led by coach Robert Jones, who is in his 10th season with the program. Jones worked his way up from Division III and high school assistant roles around New York to a Division I head coaching gig, and he owns a 168-127 record in his career with the Spartans.

In 2022, Norfolk State finished 24-7, winning the MEAC regular season and tournament championships before losing to No. 1 seed Baylor in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Spartans finished No. 176 in the KenPom rankings, boasting the No. 195 adjusted offense and No. 167 adjusted defense in the country.

Norfolk State averaged 74.3 points per game last season, which ranked No. 87 in the country and No. 3 in the MEAC. The defense allowed 64.4 points per game, which ranked No. 41 in the country and No. 1 in the MEAC.

In their first 23 years at the Division I level, Norfolk State made the NCAA tournament once, but Jones has taken them to March Madness in back-to-back seasons.

Guard Joe Bryant Jr. is the headlining returnee from last year's roster, entering 2022 as the reigning MEAC Player of the Year after putting up 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Forward Kris Bankston was the Spartans' leading rebounder and shot-blocker a year ago, averaging 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 block a night to go along with his 11.0 points per game.

Norfolk State beat Virginia-Lynchburg 109-59 in the season opener, then followed that up with an 87-59 win over Cairn on Wednesday. An 87-70 loss at No. 5 Baylor cut their perfect season short early on, and UCLA is the second top-10 team the Spartans will face in a four-day span.

Bryant is leading Norfolk State with 17.3 points per game, while Bankston is putting up 14.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

UCLA and Norfolk State have never gone head-to-head, with the all-time series set to tip off Monday at Pauley Pavilion.

*Odds via SI Sportsbook

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