NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University athletics has announced the Spartans' 2026-27 schedule, a 32-game slate that pairs one of the most demanding non-conference lineups in program history with 13 home dates at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall and a MEAC Tournament in NSU's backyard.
"This is one of the most ambitious non-conference schedules we have put together," Norfolk State head coach
Robert Jones said. "We wanted to build a schedule that would challenge our team and give our players opportunities to compete against high-level programs on a national stage. Our four high-major matchups will certainly test us, but we also have a strong group of regional opponents, including Old Dominion, UNC Wilmington, Columbia, Georgia State, William & Mary and Hampton. From start to finish, this schedule will demand that we compete at a high level every night."
"We are also excited to return to the Chris Paul HBCU Classic for the fifth time," Jones continued. "This schedule will test our team from the opening tip and prepare us for the demands of MEAC play."
The Spartans play 13 games at Echols Hall, 18 on the road and one at a neutral site. Jones enters his 14th season at the helm of the program.
Opening Stretch
Norfolk State opens the season Monday, Nov. 2, hosting Regent, and follows two nights later with Randolph on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The Spartans' first road test comes Sunday, Nov. 8 at William & Mary before NSU hosts Old Dominion on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the latest meeting of the crosstown rivals.
High-Major Tests
Norfolk State will face four high-major opponents, beginning with a two-game swing through Atlanta. The Spartans visit Georgia State on Sunday, Nov. 15, before facing Georgia Tech two nights later on Tuesday, Nov. 17. NSU then travels to NC State on Wednesday, Nov. 25, heads west to Washington on Sunday, Nov. 29, and closes non-conference play at Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 29.
The Pacific Northwest swing includes a second stop in Seattle, with NSU facing Seattle U on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Chris Paul HBCU Classic
The Spartans return to the Chris Paul HBCU Classic for the fifth time, meeting Florida A&M on Friday, Dec. 4 in Washington, D.C. It is Norfolk State's only neutral-site game of the season.
Regional Slate
Four non-conference games come against regional opponents. Along with William & Mary and Old Dominion, UNC Wilmington visits Echols Hall on Saturday, Nov. 21, and the Spartans renew the Battle of the Bay at Hampton on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Non-conference play also includes home dates with Apprentice (Dec. 9) and Virginia Lynchburg (Dec. 18) and road trips to Campbell (Dec. 5), Columbia (Dec. 16) and Drexel (Dec. 22).
MEAC Play
League play opens Saturday, Jan. 2, when North Carolina Central visits Echols Hall. The Spartans play seven of their 14 conference games at home, including visits from Delaware State (Jan. 9), South Carolina State (Jan. 16), Howard (Jan. 30), Maryland Eastern Shore (Feb. 15), Coppin State (Feb. 27) and Morgan State (March 1).
NSU closes the regular season on the road at Howard on Thursday, March 4. The 2027 MEAC Tournament returns to Norfolk March 10-13.
Tip times and broadcast information for all games will be announced at a later date. Season ticket information is available at nsuspartans.com.
Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
2026-27 Norfolk State Men's Basketball Schedule
Home games in bold | All times TBA | * MEAC game
| Date |
Day |
Opponent |
Location |
| Nov. 2 |
Monday |
Regent |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Nov. 4 |
Wednesday |
Randolph |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Nov. 8 |
Sunday |
at William & Mary |
Williamsburg, Va. |
| Nov. 11 |
Wednesday |
Old Dominion |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Nov. 15 |
Sunday |
at Georgia State |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Nov. 17 |
Tuesday |
at Georgia Tech |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Nov. 21 |
Saturday |
UNC Wilmington |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Nov. 25 |
Wednesday |
at NC State |
Raleigh, N.C. |
| Nov. 29 |
Sunday |
at Washington |
Seattle, Wash. |
| Dec. 1 |
Tuesday |
at Seattle |
Seattle, Wash. |
| Dec. 4 |
Friday |
vs. Florida A&M (Chris Paul HBCU Classic) |
Washington, D.C. |
| Dec. 5 |
Saturday |
at Campbell |
Buies Creek, N.C. |
| Dec. 9 |
Wednesday |
Apprentice |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Dec. 12 |
Saturday |
at Hampton |
Hampton, Va. |
| Dec. 16 |
Wednesday |
at Columbia |
New York, N.Y. |
| Dec. 18 |
Friday |
Virginia Lynchburg |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Dec. 22 |
Tuesday |
at Drexel |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
| Dec. 29 |
Tuesday |
at Tennessee |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
| Jan. 2 |
Saturday |
North Carolina Central* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Jan. 9 |
Saturday |
Delaware State* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Jan. 11 |
Monday |
at Maryland Eastern Shore* |
Princess Anne, Md. |
| Jan. 16 |
Saturday |
South Carolina State* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Jan. 23 |
Saturday |
at Coppin State* |
Baltimore, Md. |
| Jan. 25 |
Monday |
at Morgan State* |
Baltimore, Md. |
| Jan. 30 |
Saturday |
Howard* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Feb. 6 |
Saturday |
at North Carolina Central* |
Durham, N.C. |
| Feb. 13 |
Saturday |
at Delaware State* |
Dover, Del. |
| Feb. 15 |
Monday |
Maryland Eastern Shore* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| Feb. 20 |
Saturday |
at South Carolina State* |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
| Feb. 27 |
Saturday |
Coppin State* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| March 1 |
Monday |
Morgan State* |
Norfolk, Va. |
| March 4 |
Thursday |
at Howard* |
Washington, D.C. |
| March 10-13 |
|
MEAC Tournament |
Norfolk, Va. |
