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Florida vs. Norfolk State: How to watch, betting lines, game notes

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•03/21/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Florida-Gators-basketball-team
The 2024-25 Florida Gators men's basketball team. (Zach Abolverdi/On3)

On the heels of their SEC Tournament title, the No. 1 seed Florida Gators (30-4/14-4 SEC) are looking for their first NCAA Tournament win in four years. They will play 16-seed Norfolk State (24-10/11-3 MEAC) in the first round on Friday.

UF made the Big Dance last year for the first time since 2021 but lost a thriller in the opening round against Colorado, 102-100. This year, the Gators are in position to make a postseason run to San Antonio as the West Region champion.

How to watch Florida against Norfolk State

When: March 21
Where: Lenovo Center (19,500) | Raleigh, N.C.
Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
TV | Stream: TNT | March Madness app
On the call: Play-by-play: Ian Eagle, Analyst: Bill Raftery & Grant Hill

Betting lines for Gators vs. Spartans

Spread: Florida -28.5
Over/Under: 153.5 points
Moneyline: Florida -10000, Norfolk State +3030

Florida Gators projected starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
1Walter Clayton Jr.Guard6-2, 195 poundsSr.32.417.53.84.3 ast
15Alijah MartinGuard6-2, 210 poundsGr.30.014.54.62.3 ast
5Will RichardGuard6-4, 206 poundsSr.31.513.64.51.7 stl
21Alex CondonForward6-11, 230 poundsSo.25.211.27.92.2 ast
9Rueben ChinyeluCenter6-10, 260 poundsSo.19.26.16.50.9 blk

Norfolk State Spartans projected starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
0Christian IngsGuard6-2, 180 poundsGr.27.511.92.23.2 ast
5Brian Moore Jr.Guard6-2, 185 poundsGr.31.618.43.83.1 ast
11Jaylani DardenGuard6-5, 175 poundsSr.24.46.34.72.4 ast
9Jalen MyersForward6-8, 200 poundsGr.25.210.65.41.0 ast
7Kuluel MadingForward6-11, 210 poundsSr.22.37.44.11.3 blk

Game notes

* Florida enters the NCAA Tournament fresh off an SEC Tournament title, holding a 1-seed for the third time in program history (2007, 2014).

* UF and Norfolk State previously met in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament in Omaha after 7-seed Florida dominated Virginia in the opening round and Norfolk State pulled the 15-over-2 upset vs. Missouri. The Gators used an early 25-0 run to open up a 29-6 lead vs. NSU and cruise to a Sweet 16 berth.

* Florida, Duke and Houston are the only three teams in the nation’s top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Florida enters the NCAA Tournament with the #1 offensive efficiency and #2 overall KenPom rating.

* UF has 30 wins for the fourth time in program history. The Florida Gators rolled up 36 victories in 2013-14, 35 in 2006-07 and 33 in 2005-06.

* Florida’s eight top-25 wins this season match UF’s program record (2006-07). Five have been vs. top-10 opponents, including three top-five foes and two No. 1 teams.

* Florida won five games this season that featured two top-10 teams, going 5-2 in such matchups. Prior to this season, UF was 6-16 all time in top-10 showdowns.

* First-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr.’s 1,212 points over his two seasons at UF trail only the legendary Neal Walk’s scoring output over a two-season span (1,312; 1967-69). His 190 3-pointers trail only Lee Humphrey (226, 2005-07) and Anthony Roberson (193, 2003-05) for most by a Gator over two seasons. Clayton has made a 3-pointer in a Florida-record 56 consecutive appearances.

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