The Norfolk State Spartans take on the Florida Gators in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6:50 p.m. ET on TNT.
Florida is favored by 28.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -20000. The total is set at 153.5 points.
Here’s my Norfolk State vs. Florida predictions and college basketball picks for March 21, 2025.
Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction
My Pick: Norfolk State +28.5
My Norfolk State vs Florida best bet is on the Spartans spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Norfolk State vs Florida Odds, Spread, Pick
| Norfolk State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+28.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | +2800 |
| Florida Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-28.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | -20000 |
- Norfolk State vs Florida spread: Florida -28.5
- Norfolk State vs Florida over/under: 153.5 points
- Norfolk State vs Florida moneyline: Florida -20000, Norfolk State +2800
- Norfolk State vs Florida best bet: Norfolk State +28.5
My Norfolk State vs Florida NCAA Tournament Betting Preview
The madness is officially upon us, and we have an incredible three-week stretch ahead.
There's nothing that kicks off the tournament quite like your classic 1/16 game, and this matchup could not be more on-brand for that.
For the Gators, it's the first step in a dream to make it all the way to San Antonio and cut down the nets.
For the Spartans, it's a dream already realized and a chance to play with house money and knock off one of the giants.
Games with spreads this big are always difficult to handicap, but I see some value in Norfolk State, despite the major talent gap in this matchup.
The Spartans should embrace the bright lights and the stage, and you know that Robert Jones' team will fight for all 40 minutes.
One other aspect of this game that lends itself to a Norfolk cover is that Florida just played three physical games in the SEC Tournament and knows that it has UConn likely awaiting on deck.
Once the Gators take control of this game, Todd Golden may want to get his starters some rest, given that they'll play again on Sunday.
Essentially, even if Norfolk State is down 20 points early in the second half, it could have the opportunity to muck up the game down the stretch with Florida leaning on reserves.
Additionally, the Spartans have Chris Fields Jr. and Brian Moore Jr., two guys who can create their own shots and shouldn't be too bothered by the Gators' size and athleticism.
There's no denying that Florida has the top offense in college basketball and will be able to score any way it wants against a lackluster Spartans defense.
But does that mean the Gators are going to win by 30+? I'm willing to say no because of the reasons listed above and some paths that I see for Norfolk State to generate some offense of its own.
This is a hold-your-nose type of spot, but I'm willing to do so because I have confidence that Norfolk State will fight its tail off from start to finish.
Golden won't want to run this one up, and the backdoor will be open if necessary down the stretch.
One final tidbit I'll add is that Norfolk State is a top-75 free-throw shooting team nationally, and the charity stripe can often be the difference with spreads this big.
There should be plenty of fouls between these two, and if the Spartans can cash in on their freebies, it will help them hang inside this number.
It'll be a sweat throughout, but give me Norfolk State to cover the 29-point number and end its season going down fighting.
