Overview

• Norfolk State enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 16 seed, facing No. 1 seed Florida with a 28.5-point underdog status.
• Coach Robert Jones has publicly criticized the large point spread, expressing anger and determination to prove doubters wrong.
• The Spartans have achieved consistent success, winning 20 games annually over the past four years and making their third tournament appearance in five years.
• Historical context adds intrigue, as Norfolk State famously upset No. 3 seed Missouri in 2012 but lost to Florida in the following round.
• Jones aims to challenge stereotypes about MEAC and HBCU programs, emphasizing his team's resilience and national competitiveness.