North Carolina Central Eagles are set to play against Longwood Lancers at the Joan Perry Brock Center in Farmville, VA. This non-conference game is part of the regular college basketball season, featuring teams from the Mid-Eastern and Big South Conferences. The game will be aired on ESPN+ on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
The Eagles come into this game with an 0-1 record, having lost their first away game against Georgia Bulldogs. Cristian Sanon led North Carolina Central in that game with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Trey Brown also made significant contributions with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Longwood Lancers hold a 1-1 record for the season, with a dominant win at home against Pfeiffer Falcons and a loss on the road to Saint Joseph's Hawks. Jaylen Benard and Alphonzo Billups III have been key players for the Lancers, with both having impressive performances in their recent outings. As the favorite, Longwood enters this game with an -11.5 spread.
Longwood vs North Carolina Central At a Glance
- Matchup: North Carolina Central Eagles vs Longwood Lancers
- Venue: Joan Perry Brock Center, Farmville, VA
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Game Odds: Longwood favored with a spread of -11.5
- Eagles Record: 0-1 in the 2027 Regular Season
The Longwood Lancers Look to Improve Their Standing in Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The Longwood Lancers have been putting up impressive numbers on offense, scoring 98 points per game. They rank 24th in possessions per game with 83.0. This high tempo allows them to attempt 81.5 field goals per game, the 7th most in the nation.
From beyond the arc, the Lancers hit an average of 12 three-pointers per game. They attempt 34 three-point shots on average, putting them in the top 40 teams for three-point attempts. Despite their volume, their three-point percentage sits at 35.3, which is 151st.
Key Players
Alphonzo Billups III is an integral part of the team, averaging 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. His versatility as a guard-forward adds depth to the Lancers’ lineup. Jaylen Benard matches Billups in scoring, also averaging 13.5 points, and leads the team in rebounds with 10.0 per game.
Another strong contributor is MJ Williams, who averages 13 points and 3 assists. His shooting accuracy is noteworthy, with a field goal percentage of 52.6. This trio forms the core of the Lancers' offensive efforts.
Defensive Insights
The Lancers face challenges on defense, especially in steals per game, where they rank near the bottom. They allow opponents to capitalize on turnovers, averaging 11.5 per game. Fouls also present a problem, with the team committing 23 per game.
Despite these setbacks, their shot-blocking efforts are decent, with 1.5 blocks per game. They’ll need to tighten their defense to improve their standing. The team looks to adjust their strategy for better defensive results.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent game against Saint Joseph's Hawks, the Lancers fell short by 9 points, scoring 73. Key performers included Jaylen Benard with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Alphonzo Billups III added 17 points but it wasn't enough to secure a win.
Conversely, their game against Pfeiffer Falcons was a success, winning by 56 points. They shot 59.8% from the field, showcasing their potential when on form. The team will aim to replicate this efficiency in upcoming games.
Longwood Lancers Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-1 (50.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-0-1 (50.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
North Carolina Central Eagles: A Deep Dive into Their Game Dynamics
Offensive Overview
The North Carolina Central Eagles average 62.0 points per game, ranking near the bottom in scoring. Their field goal percentage is also low at 37.7%. Despite these numbers, they make 46.7% of their three-point shots, which ranks them high in this area.
In terms of possessions, the Eagles average 71.5 per game, placing them in the middle of the pack. They attempt 61 field goals per game, which suggests that they are taking shots but not converting them efficiently. Their free throw percentage is quite strong at 90.0%, making free throws a key strength.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, the Eagles record 8.0 steals per game. This indicates an active defense, though they only manage 1.0 block per game. They struggle with turnovers, averaging 19.0 per game, which could hinder their defensive efforts.
They commit 19.0 fouls per game, which may give opponents additional scoring opportunities. Their defense will need to focus on reducing these fouls and turnovers to improve their game outcomes.
Key Players
Cristian Sanon stands out as a top performer, averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. His shooting accuracy from the field is 46.7%. Trey Brown contributes significantly with 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, showing his ability on both ends of the court.
Maurice Vassel adds 10.0 points per game with a high shooting percentage of 62.5%. Darius Kane is notable for his 7.0 assists per game, highlighting his playmaking skills.
Recent Game Analysis
In their recent game against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Eagles scored 62 points. Cristian Sanon was a key player, scoring 19 points. Despite their efforts, they lost the game by 16 points.
Trey Brown also showed strong performance with 10 points and 9 rebounds. However, the team struggled overall with a field goal percentage of 37.7%.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
Against the Spread (ATS) Trends
- ATS Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 1-0 (100.0%)
Totals (Over/Under) Trends
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
Longwood vs North Carolina Central Prediction: 'North Carolina Central +11.5'
In this game, the Longwood Lancers hold a slight advantage, especially with their scoring power. They average 98 points per game, which is significantly higher than North Carolina Central's 62 points. However, the spread of -11.5 for Longwood seems too large, considering the head-to-head history is quite close.
The Lancers are favored by 11.5 points, but their past meetings with North Carolina Central have been tight. In the last five games, Longwood's average margin of victory was just 1.6 points. This indicates that North Carolina Central can keep the game closer than the spread suggests.
North Carolina Central's effective field goal percentage is low, but their three-point shooting is strong at 46.7%. If they can maintain this from beyond the arc, they will stay competitive. Their ability to cover the spread hinges on their defense and limiting turnovers.
Given the history and current stats, picking North Carolina Central to cover the +11.5 spread is reasonable. Longwood might win, but it could be closer than expected.
- Longwood vs North Carolina Central Prediction: North Carolina Central +11.5
- Longwood vs North Carolina Central Score: Longwood 78 - North Carolina Central 70
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