The music is still playing.

Norfolk State University made it to the “Big Dance” last season and insiders feel it might be kicking up its heels again this go-round.

Coach Robert Jones’ Spartans are the clear favorite to repeat as MEAC basketball champions based on a preseason poll of coaches and sports information directors.

NSU received 119 votes compared to 99 for runner-up Morgan State University in the eight-school league.

Senior Joe Bryant was selected to the preseason All-MEAC first team, while teammate Jalen Hawkins made the sec- ond team.

Bryant, a 6-foot-1 guard from Norfolk’s Lake Taylor High School, and Hawkins, a 6-foot-2 senior from Bronx, N.Y., were among the heroes a year ago as NSU won its second MEAC title and second NCAA Division I bid.

Finishing 17-8 overall, the Spartans defeated Appalachian State University in the first round of the NCAAs in Bloomington, Ind., before losing to top overall seed Gonzaga University in the second round in Indianapolis.

Again there will be a strong Richmond-area contingent of Spartans. NSU’s roster includes 6-foot-6 junior Tyrese Jenkins from Varina High School in Henrico, 6-foot-6 junior Daryl Anderson from Millwood School in Chesterfield and 6-foot-8 senior Chris Ford from L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield.

Also joining the team is talented 6-foot-4 freshman Dana Woodley from Richmond’s John Marshall High School. Woodley played on the Justices’ 2020 state championship squad but was denied his senior year on the court when Richmond Public Schools opted out of basketball because of the pandemic.

This season’s MEAC Tournament is set for March 9 through 12 at the Norfolk Scope. The tournament champ advances automatically to the NCAAs, aka the “Big Dance.”