NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University men's basketball team begins its quest for a second consecutive MEAC Championship on Monday, Nov. 3, when the Spartans host Washington Adventist to open the 2025-26 campaign at Echols Memorial Hall.

Last season, the Spartans finished 24-11 overall and 11-3 in MEAC play, earning a share of the regular-season title before edging South Carolina State 66-65 in the championship game to clinch the conference crown and an NCAA Tournament berth, where NSU faced top-seeded Florida in the first round.

Since taking over the program in 2013, Robert Jones has elevated Norfolk State men's basketball into one of the most consistent and successful programs in HBCU basketball. Entering his 13th season in 2025–26, Jones owns a 236–159 (.597) overall record and an impressive 135–45 (.750) mark in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.

Under his leadership, the Spartans have captured five MEAC regular-season titles and three tournament championships (2021, 2022, 2025), resulting in three NCAA Tournament appearances. A three-time MEAC Coach of the Year, Jones has developed 34 All-MEAC honorees, including three MEAC Players of the Year and several other major award winners.

The 2025–26 roster blends experienced returners and a deep group of newcomers. Veterans Jordan Leaks, My'Kel Jenkins, Melo Baines, and Dramane Camara headline the returning corps, bringing leadership and championship experience.

Jones and his staff have also assembled a talented incoming class of 10 newcomers, including two freshmen and eight transfers from across multiple levels of collegiate basketball. Local standout Adrean Newton (Norfolk, Va. / Maury HS) and Ahmad Torrence (New York, N.Y. / Thurgood Marshall Academy) highlight the freshman class.

Graduate transfer Dian Wright-Forde (Texas A&M–Corpus Christi) leads a veteran transfer group joined by Elijah Jamison (UNC Wilmington), Anthony McComb III (New Hampshire), Devon Ellis (Valparaiso), Jaquel Morris (St. Peter's), Keyontae Lewis (Wagner), Yel Deeng (Casper College), and Mekhi Reid (Mary Baldwin).

Norfolk State looks to build on last season's MEAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance as it pursues another title run under Jones' proven leadership.

This year's slate features 31 contests, including 13 home games and 18 road matchups against a mix of Power Four and mid-major programs. Conference play will once again be a 14-game gauntlet beginning Jan. 3 at North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C.

Norfolk State opens the season with three home games in the first week, welcoming Washington Adventist (Nov. 3), Regent (Nov. 5), and William & Mary (Nov. 8) to Echols Hall. The Spartans then hit the road for a cross-town clash at Old Dominion  (Nov. 11) before traveling north to take on Towson (Nov. 14).

NSU returns home on Friday, Nov. 21, for the always-anticipated Battle of the Bay against former MEAC rival Hampton, completing its run against all 757 Division I opponents.

A challenging road stretch follows, as the Spartans travel west for Power Four contests at Wyoming and Arizona, with a home matchup against Virginia University of Lynchburg sandwiched between those two trips to close out November.

The Spartans begin December with a trip to James Madison, renewing a regional rivalry after NSU's impressive 83-69 win over the Dukes last season. From there, Norfolk State heads south to face Baylor for the second straight year.

After a short break, the Spartans travel to Atlanta to compete in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge (Dec. 18-19), where they will meet Grambling and Jackson State. NSU is undefeated in the event's history, earning wins last season over Alabama State (71-54) and Grambling State (76-70).

The holiday season continues with a stop in El Paso, Texas, for the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (Dec. 21-22)—the nation's longest-running holiday college basketball tournament. The Spartans will take on the UTEP Miners in the opener before facing either UC Irvine or North Dakota State in the finale.

NSU wraps up the calendar year on Dec. 28 with a road trip to Louisiana, taking on the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette.

Conference action begins in the new year, starting with road trips to North Carolina Central (Jan. 3) and Delaware State (Jan. 10). The Spartans then return home for their MEAC home opener against Maryland Eastern Shore (Jan. 12) before traveling to South Carolina State (Jan. 17).

A three-game home stand follows: Elizabeth City State (Jan. 19), Coppin State (Jan. 24), and Morgan State (Jan. 26). The Spartans close January with a road matchup at Howard (Jan. 31).

In February, Norfolk State begins its second run through the conference schedule, hosting North Carolina Central (Feb. 7) and Delaware State (Feb. 14) before heading to Maryland Eastern Shore (Feb. 16). NSU then welcomes South Carolina State (Feb. 21) before traveling north for games at Coppin State (Feb. 28) and Morgan State (Mar. 2).

The regular season concludes on March 5 when the Spartans celebrate Senior Day at Echols Hall against Howard.

The Spartans will once again look to make noise on their home floor during the 2026 MEAC Basketball Tournament, set for Norfolk Scope Arena in downtown Norfolk, as they pursue another championship run and NCAA Tournament berth.