Preview: Jackson State Tigers at Norfolk State Spartans COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum before conference play meet Friday when Norfolk State hosts Jackson State in a nonconference men’s basketball game at Gateway Center Arena. The Spartans (4-8) enter as solid favorites, projected with a 68.4% win probability by National Statistical’s ELO system. They will look to snap a four-game skid, most recently an 80-68 loss at Grambling on Thursday. Guard Elijah Jamison has been a bright spot, averaging 21.2 points over his last five games, including a 26-point performance in the loss to Grambling. Jackson State (1-10) is mired in a difficult stretch, having lost nine of its last ten. The Tigers are coming off a narrow 84-77 home loss to Hampton on Thursday. Their lone victory came at Louisiana-Lafayette, 51-45, on Nov. 28. The game features a compelling backcourt matchup between Jamison and Jackson State’s dynamic guard Daeshun Ruffin. Ruffin is averaging 23.6 points over his last five contests and is coming off a career-high 36-point, six-assist effort against Hampton. His scoring burst will be crucial for a Tigers’ offense that has struggled against high-major competition, including losses to Houston, Auburn and Illinois by an average of 53 points. Norfolk State’s schedule has also been challenging, with road losses to Baylor and Arizona. The Spartans’ defense, which allowed 97 points at Baylor last week, will be tasked with containing Ruffin. Both teams have endured demanding early schedules. Jackson State’s 10 losses have all come on the road or at neutral sites. This contest, at a neutral venue in College Park, offers each a final opportunity to fine-tune before their respective conference slates begin in January. For Norfolk State, the focus will be on leveraging its backcourt advantage and reversing its recent fortunes. For Jackson State, finding secondary scoring behind Ruffin and improving defensive consistency will be key to pulling an upset. Tip-off is set for Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.