Norfolk State Coach Prepares for David vs. Goliath Challenge Against Florida
RALEIGH, N.C. – Norfolk State’s head coach, Robert Jones, is gearing up with fierce determination as his team approaches their first-round NCAA tournament clash against top-seeded Florida on Friday. Jones believes his squad is ready to silence their doubters.
The Spartans, coming in as the 16th seed, face staggering odds with a 27.5-point deficit against the SEC tournament champs, as predicted by ESPN BET.
“I recognize Florida’s exceptional talent and program, but are we really that inferior to warrant such a point spread?” Jones expressed. “I’m fired up, and I perform better when I’m angry.” He also noted, “Our players excel when driven by anger.”
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions have consistently reached 20 wins each season for the past four years, marking their third NCAA Tournament in five years. They bring with them a history of surprising upsets, notably their victory over third-seeded Missouri in 2012, although they fell to Florida in the following round, 84-50.
Jones is optimistic about changing the outcome this time against the well-regarded Gators.
“We aim to demonstrate that we’re more than just representatives of the MEAC or HBCUs,” said Jones. “We want to prove that we’re genuinely among the elite teams in the nation, showcasing a heightened focus and intensity.”
Jones assures that “nobody inside that locker room fears” taking on Florida.
A self-proclaimed “New York City guy,” Jones is eager to defy expectations.
“People often doubt us, thinking success is confined to the MEAC or HBCUs, but that’s a false narrative,” Jones declared. “We compete nationally, even top coaches have been bested by Norfolk State. This is another chance to confront those misconceptions with a resolve to make our mark.”
Historically, No. 16 seeds have a daunting record of 2-154 against No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. Notable victories include UMBC’s upset over Virginia in 2018 and Farleigh Dickinson’s triumph against Purdue in 2023.