NSU Will Have a Variety of Options in 2018-19; Men's Basketball Open Season at #18 Michigan on BTN Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET

TV: Big Ten Network (BTN) 8:30 pm ET, Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018

ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- Last year the Norfolk State men's basketball team had seven players score at least eight points per game, with the top scorer on the team at 12.2. With five of those seven players back, the Spartans could be looking at a true team effort when it comes to the offensive side of the ball in 2018-19.

The Spartans officially begin their season on Tuesday night at No. 19/18 Michigan.

Norfolk State will also rely heavily on its defensive prowess, which lifted the short-handed Spartans to an 11-5 record in the MEAC, one game out of first place. NSU ranked second in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense, as well as top 60 in the nation in field goal percentage defense and turnovers forced. Those numbers look even more respectable despite their slow start to the season. With a decent amount of turnover in the league outside of the top few teams, the Spartans can easily find themselves right in the thick of things as they are every year.

NSU will be a guard-heavy team this season, although they do return a pair of senior forwards who will anchor the front court in Alex Long (10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds) and Jordan Butler (7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks in 2016-17). With Butler back after sitting out last season, the Spartans are looking to improve upon those defensive numbers, including a No. 41 finish in the nation in rebounds per game.

Long was the second-leading scorer on the team a year ago, and he and Butler form one of the strongest 1-2 front courts in the league. The duo combined for almost 100 blocks two seasons ago. With little depth behind them, both players will need to stay out of foul trouble while being relied upon for a lot in their last year in the program.

But on offense, it could truly be a score-by-committee approach. Junior guard Steven Whitley did a little bit of everything for the Spartans last year. He led NSU in scoring at 12.2 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals. With everyone a year older, and with perhaps a few more scoring options than a season ago, Whitley has the potential for even more but may not need to carry as heavy of a burden as a season ago.

He will have help returning on offense in the form of senior Derrik Jamerson Jr., who averaged 8.5 points and made 40 percent from 3-point range. Jamerson was a key factor in the Spartans leading the MEAC and setting a school Division I record in 3-point shooting at 35.9 percent. But after getting to the free throw line just five times, he will look to become a more all-around scorer as a team leader.

Also back are junior Nic Thomas (8.5 points) and sophomore Mastadi Pitt (8.4 points, 2.3 assists). They combined for nearly 70 3-pointers as the Spartans set the school record for treys in a season (254). Pitt was thrown into the fire as a freshman, starting off strong with an 18-point performance at Auburn in last year's season opener. Also a good shooter at 36 percent from beyond the arc, Pitt could be called upon to play some point guard this season while improving on his successful debut campaign.

Thomas is looking for a bounce back season after a lot of ups and downs last year. She showed off his potential during the midway point of the year, scoring at least 20 points in three of four games during one stretch. He will be looking, however, to improve upon his 32 percent shooting numbers overall and from long range.

Several newcomers will also have an impact in the back court. Redshirt freshman C.J. Kelly, who sat out last year while at NSU, was in line to see significant time on the court before having to take an academic year. A potential sixth man last season, Kelly is another player who could have a solid freshman season before taking it to the next level as his career progresses.

The staff also brought in two more freshmen for this year in local product Joe Bryant Jr. and fellow state of Virginia native BJ Fitzgerald. Bryant had a big debut for the Spartans in their exhibition against Virginia State, tallying 18 points. A big-bodied guard much like Pitt and Whitley, Bryant could play his way into a significant role with the Spartans this year if the early results are any indication. And like Pitt, Bryant could see time at the point guard position in relief of Whitley.

Fitzgerald has the height advantage at the guard position at 6-foot-6, and he arrived at Norfolk State with a lot of high school accolades. But he will face an uphill battle for playing time before he gets settled in as NSU goes eight-deep at the guard position. Also sitting out last year after transferring in from junior college was redshirt sophomore walk-on Kyonze Chavis, who averaged 5.2 points his freshman year at junior college before transferring to Norfolk State before last season. Like Kelly, a year in the NSU system could provide immediate benefits for Chavis in escaping the logjam.

Back at forward, NSU brought in two D-I grad transfers in redshirt seniors Obi Momah from Marist and Armani Branch from VMI, although Momah will miss the season due to injury. Both players did not compete last year as seniors at their previous schools. Branch averaged 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 2016-17 at VMI, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range as a stretch forward. But with Momah unable to compete, Branch will need to assume a more prominent role down low behind Long and Butler.

• TV (BTN)
• RADIO (HOT 91.1 FM)
• LIVE STATS
• GAME NOTES
• COACH JONES VIDEO PREVIEW

The last newcomer is forward Chris Ford, who adds plenty of size at 6-8 but faces a learning curve in adjusting to D-I play. He is one of seven players this year for the Spartans who will either see their first action at the collegiate level or their first live action in two years, including the four freshmen, Butler, Branch and Chavis.

For the Spartans to come out of the gates quickly this year, several of those players will need to show no rust as they see their first live action in over a year.

By: Mike Bello, Asst. SID
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS