The Norfolk State Spartans men's basketball team represents Norfolk State University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They currently compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Spartans are currently coached by Robert Jones and play their home games at the Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
The Spartans men's basketball team is best known for defeating the #2 seeded Missouri in the 2012 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 86–84, the first tournament appearance for Norfolk State. It was only the fifth time that a 15th seed has defeated a 2nd seed. ESPN Norfolk State has qualified for the NCAA tournament at the Division I level four times, in 2012, 2021, 2022, and 2025.
Post-season
NCAA Division I tournament results The Spartans have appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments. Their combined record is 2–4. 2012 #15 First RoundSecond Round #2 Missouri#7 Florida W 86–84L 50–84 2021 #16 First FourFirst Round #16 Appalachian State #1 Gonzaga W 54–53L 55–98 2022 #16 First Round #1 Baylor L 49–85 2025 #16 First Round #1 Florida L 69–95
NCAA Division II tournament results The Spartans have appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament 15 times. Their combined record is 18–19.
1965 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game BellarmineBethune-Cookman L 74–91W 91–74 1968 Regional semifinalsRegional Finals DenisonAshland W 108–86L 51–61 1969 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd Place Mount St. Mary'sOld Dominion L 80–95L 102–113 1971 Regional semifinalsRegional Finals RoanokeOld Dominion W 97–77L 97–102 1974 First roundRegional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight Randolph–MaconRoanokeOld DominionAssumption W 74–72W 84–75W 89–76L 79–89 1984 Regional semifinalsRegional Finals Winston-Salem StateVirginia Union W 70–61L 56–58 1985 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game Cal State HaywardMontana State–Billings L 61–64W 90–78 1986 Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight Virginia UnionMount St. Mary'sSacred Heart W 70–60W 78–75L 74–84 1987 Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight District of ColumbiaMount St. Mary'sKentucky Westleyan W 68–64W 70–66L 74–80 1988 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game TampaNorth Alabama L 68–71L 63–76 1989 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game North Carolina CentralAlabama A&M L 64–67L 80–93 1990 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game Florida TechVirginia Union L 63–73W 102–93 1992 Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game Jonson C. SmithAlbany State L 76–82L 70–73 1994 Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight LongwoodVirginia UnionWashburn W 61–59W 71–69L 58–69 1995 Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite EightFinal Four Johnson C. SmithVirginia UnionAlabama A&MSouthern Indiana W 89–61W 84–66W 85–67L 81–89
NIT results The Spartans have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) twice. Their record is 1–2. 2013 First round Virginia L 56–67 2019 First roundSecond Round AlabamaColorado W 80–79 OTL 60–76
CIT results The Spartans have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) five times. Their combined record is 2–4. They were the CIT champions in 2024. 2014 First round Eastern Michigan L 54–58 2015 First round Eastern Kentucky L 75–81 2016 First round Columbia L 54–86 2017 First round Liberty L 64–73 2024 SemifinalsChampionship Alabama A&MPurdue Fort Wayne W 81–66W 75–67
Retired numbers Three Spartan players have had their numbers retired by Norfolk State University. Kyle O’Quinn is the latest, with his number 10 retired by the school on February 16, 2019.
Norfolk State Spartans retired numbers No.PlayerYears played 10 Kyle O’Quinn 2008–2012 12 Bob Dandridge 1965–1969 34 David Pope 1980–1984
Spartans in the NBA Bob Dandridge Ray Epps Kyle O'Quinn David Pope
Spartans in international leagues
Kris Bankston (born 1999), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
References
External links