Sports

Norfolk State Hoops Coach Dares D1 Schools To Schedule Spartans With Unique Cash Incentive

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iStockphoto / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images


Buy games in college basketball typically consist of a larger D1 program paying a smaller school to travel for a non-conference matchup. They are a common occurrence, and one that is important to both sides of the deal.

In most cases, these games end in blowout wins for the stronger team. The losers are paid handsomely for the beatdown. Robert Jones of Norfolk State is not afraid. He’s turning the tables while offering an incentive.

He’s looking to overcome scheduling difficulties by challenging potential opponents. He’s tempting those foes with a cash deal.

The offer is unique for many reasons. One is the payout structure. Norfolk State is willing to pay $10,000 in a situation they might typically be the buy game recipient.

Two is the home and home setup. Jones wants a headline game in Echols Hall.

Norfolk State will pay basketball opponents.

Life as a mid-major school has become difficult in college hoops. Scheduling is impossible, particularly for those that have a legitimate chance to knock off bigger brands.

Miami (OH) found that out in 2025. Coming off a 25-win season the year prior, there were upwards of 100 schools deny requests to play the RedHawks.

“I was told ‘no’ by probably 75 to 90 teams, from obviously all your power conferences to your A-10s, to your Mountain Wests. I guess you could say we were in scheduling no man’s land. We didn’t fit the profile of what anyone was looking for.”

-Associate coach Jonathan Holmes

As a result, their non-conference schedule was weak. Despite winning their first 30 games, NCAA Tournament hopes were in doubt due to an inability to win the MAC Conference Championship.

The RedHawks did eventually slip into a First Four matchup, where they knocked off SMU. Norfolk State is experiencing similar issues.

While the Spartans were just 15-17 last season, they’ve proven the ability to compete with the “big boys” in the past.

Norfolk State has played in three March Madness fields over the last six seasons. They’ve won 20 games or more in four of those campaigns, while also posting a 17-8 record in 2020-21.

Since 2020, their victims include James Madison, UNC Wilmington, Monmouth, VCU, and High Point, most of whom have since played in the NCAA Tournament. They also had strong showings against Stanford and Tennessee in 2024.

Last year was an outlier for Robert Jones’s bunch. It was just his second losing season since taking over in 2013. He plans to return to form in 2026.

Expansion won’t help the Spartans.

The NCAA Tournament field will expand to 76 teams in the very near future. Jones does not believe it will benefit Norfolk State basketball.

“For teams like us, and conferences like ours, I don’t really think it does a big service,” he said after hearing the news. “People say, ‘It’s eight more teams, maybe you have a better shot.’ Those eight at-large bids are going to go to the high major teams.

“We’re still going to have to win our conference… It doesn’t make that much of an impact… Now your Cinderella teams will just be the ninth-place team from the SEC. It won’t be a Norfolk State beating a Missouri.”

Those larger teams will not want to have a mid-major loss on the resume. They will avoid scheduling schools like Norfolk State in the future in order to preserve their postseason outlook.

To counteract that decision-making, he’s putting his money where his mouth is. He is not afraid to play D1 teams. Typically, the Spartans would be the side receiving a payout in buy games. Jones has flipped the script.