Norfolk St. Coach 'a Little Angry' over 28.5-Point Spread vs. Florida in March Madness

Norfolk State head men's basketball coach Robert Jones isn't thrilled with the fact that his team is a massive underdog for their NCAA tournament first-round game against Florida.

Speaking to reporters Thursday about the Gators being 28.5-point favorites over his Spartans, Jones said: "I know Florida's really, really good, and they run a great program, got great players, but are we that bad that the point spread is like that? I'm a little angry, and like I said, I'm a little bit more focused and play better when I'm angry. ... I think the players play better when they're angry."

After going 30-4 and beating Tennessee to win the SEC tournament, Florida earned one of the four coveted No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tourney.

The Gators have not made it past the second round of the NCAA tournament since 2017, but thanks to four players who average double figures in scoring—including star guard Walter Clayton Jr.—Florida appears poised for a deep run.

It all starts with a first-round matchup against 16th-seeded Norfolk State, which is 24-10 and defeated South Carolina State to win the MEAC tournament.

Jones, 45, has been the head coach at Norfolk State since 2014, compiling a 236-158 record during that time.

Norfolk State has reached the NCAA tournament in three of the past five seasons, and while the Spartans missed out last season, they won the CIT.

For all of the success that Norfolk State has enjoyed in recent years, it has not made it out of the first round of the NCAA tournament under Jones.

The only time Norfolk State pulled off that feat was back in 2012 when it upset Missouri as a No. 15 seed before falling to Florida in the second round.

If Norfolk State somehow manages to shock Florida in the first round this year, it will join UMBC and Fairleigh Dickinson as only the third 16-seed in NCAA tournament history to beat a No. 1.

Jones said "no one in that locker room is scared" to face the Gators, and his theory will be put to the test Friday at 6:50 p.m. ET in Raleigh, North Carolina.