Updated February 12, 2026
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders travel to take on the Kennesaw State Owls on Thursday, in a Conference USA battle that could influence positioning in the league standings. Middle Tennessee enters off a tough stretch, losers of five straight, including an overtime heartbreaker to Delaware in their most recent contest. Kennesaw State is looking to defend its strong home record and bounce back from a loss in their last outing. Here, I break down this contest in college basketball and make my Middle Tennessee vs Kennesaw State prediction.
Pick: Kennesaw State -3.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: ★★★★☆
This will be the first conference meeting of the season between these two teams. Middle Tennessee is 0-7 against the spread in its last seven games and 0-5 straight up in its last five, indicating struggles to cover and secure wins. Kennesaw State, favored by 3.5 points in most markets, boasts a favorable home record and has been able to put up offensive numbers that pressure opponents in Conference USA play.
Score Projection: Middle Tennessee 75 – Kennesaw State 78 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Middle Tennessee 37%, Kennesaw State 63% ATS PRO
Kennesaw State’s home record and dynamic offense make it hard to back Middle Tennessee, a squad in a prolonged slump with scoring inconsistency and close losses piling up. The Owls should capitalize at home and cover the spread, with a high total possible if both teams push tempo. Bettors looking at key player performance should favor Cottle and Simpson to impact the scoreboard early, while my projection leans toward a tight but decisive win for Kennesaw State.
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