The Coppin State Eagles (9-22) and the Norfolk State Spartans (23-6) square off in the 2022 MEAC Tournament championship game on Saturday afternoon. Norfolk State rolls into this contest hot, winning five in a row, including over Morgan State in the semifinal round. Coppin State is on a two-game win streak, outlasting NC Central 79-73 on Friday. The Spartans defeated the Eagles in both regular-season matchups. The winner of this title game secures a spot in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff is at 1 p.m. ET from Norfolk Scope Arena. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Spartans at -8 in the latest Coppin State vs. Norfolk State odds. The over-under for total points is set at 136.5. Before locking in any Norfolk State vs. Coppin State picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $1,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Norfolk State vs. Coppin State and revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see all of the model’s college basketball picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Coppin State vs. Norfolk State:
- Coppin State vs. Norfolk State spread: Spartans -8
- Coppin State vs. Norfolk State over-under: 136.5 points
- Coppin State vs. Norfolk State money line: Eagles +285, Spartans -360
- COPP: Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five neutral site games as underdogs
- NORF: Spartans are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 neutral-site games
Featured Game | Norfolk State Spartans vs. Coppin State Eagles
Why Norfolk State can cover
Redshirt senior guard Jalen Hawkins averages 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Hawkins provides the Spartans with a reliable scoring outlet in the backcourt. He’s logged at least 16 points in 11 games. In the semis against Morgan State, the New York native had 19 points, two rebounds and shot 6-for-13 from the floor.
Redshirt senior forward Kris Bankston brings some force down low for the Spartans. He is putting up 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Bankston has been the most efficient player in the MEAC, ranking first in field-goal percentage (.720). He’s scored at least 14 points in four straight games. On Feb. 28 against NC Central, the Arkansas native had 21 points, 11 rebounds and finished 9-for-11 from the field.
Why Coppin State can cover
Redshirt sophomore guard Jesse Zarzuela gave the Eagles a spark, returning to the lineup on Wednesday. Zarzuela averages a team-high 14.9 points with 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The Texas native scored more than 20 points in five games. In his last outing, Zarzuela dropped 27 points, five rebounds and seven assists. He shot 6-for-8 from 3-point land.
Redshirt freshman guard Nendah Tarke is another threat in the backcourt for the Eagles. He averages 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The Maryland native also causes havoc on the defensive end. He leads the conference in steals (3). Tarke has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games. In the quarterfinals against Howard, he finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. This was Tarke’s 11th game swiping at least four steals.
How to make Norfolk State vs. Coppin State picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 142 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Coppin State vs. Norfolk State? And which side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.
