| MATCHUP | Eastern Illinois Panthers | Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 10-15 | 10-15 |
| Where | Hooper Eblen Center, Cookeville, TN | |
| When | Saturday, February 7, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Eastern Illinois Panthers and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles meet Saturday in college basketball action from Eblen Center in Cookeville. Here’s an Eastern Illinois vs Tennessee Tech prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Eastern Illinois vs Tennessee Tech pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Preview
This year the Panthers came out of the gate to post a 2-8 record in their first 10 games. Eastern Illinois would then get victories versus SIU Edwardsville, East-West U, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State and Western Illinois in the next seven before a 2-2 run that featured a pair of losses to Little Rock and Morehead State. After a couple more losses after that, the Panthers had a 9-14 record through the first 23 outings.
On Thursday versus Tennessee State, Eastern Illinois was with in three points at the break 33-30. The Panthers fell further behind in the second half on a 44-38 stretch and took the loss 77-68 in the end. Kooper Jacobi put up 15 points with six rebounds while Meechie White added 15 points in 31 minutes. Markus Blackwell had 12 points and one assist as well.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Betting Preview
Over on the Tennessee Tech side, they were able to log a .500 record across their first 12 games this year at 6-6 overall. The Eagles lost to TN-Martin, Tennessee State. Little Rock, Eastern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Morehead State, Lindenwood and SIU Edwardsville over the next nine, then took out Little Rock and Tennessee State. Across their first 23 outings the Golden Eagles had a 9-14 record in the books.
Matched up against Western Illinois on Thursday the Eagles rolled right through the first half on a nice 53-30 advantage. Tennessee Tech hit a 44-42 stretch the rest of the way and took the blowout victory on their home court 97-72 in the end. JaJuan Nicholls was the team’s lead scorer with 14 points and seven boards in just 14 minutes of work on the court during the victory effort.
Eastern Illinois Panthers @ Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Betting Trends: February 7, 2026
Why the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles will win
- Eastern Illinois has lost eight of its last nine road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Tennessee Tech has won seven of its last eight home games against Eastern Illinois at Hooper Eblen Center.
Why the Eastern Illinois Panthers will win
- Tennessee Tech has lost three of its last four home day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
Eastern Illinois vs Tennessee Tech Prediction
I’ll take a stab on Eastern Illinois but I’m probably not touching this one. There’s not a whole lot to get excited about—aside from a potentially competitive game. In any case, the Panthers shot well (51 percent) from the field and had a 30-23 rebounding advantage in their road loss to Tennessee State this week. EIU also gave up 46.4 percent from the field on defense and had 16 turnovers, however. The Panthers have lost four straight games, giving up 73 or more points in each of those while not eclipsing 68 points themselves.
These teams last met up back on January 8 in a 71-61 home win for the Panthers. In that one Eastern Illinois shot a reasonable 43.9 percent from the field with 28 rebounds, a 32-20 advantage on points in the paint and just seven turnovers. Tennessee Tech, meanwhile shot just 39.1 percent from the floor with 14 turnovers. EIU has their work cut out for them in the road rematch but I think they can power one out if all goes well.