Kennesaw State vs Missouri State Prediction 2/18/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Kennesaw State Owls and the Missouri State Bears meet Wednesday in college basketball action from JQH Arena in Springfield. Here’s a Kennesaw State vs Missouri State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Kennesaw State vs Missouri State 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.

Kennesaw State Owls Betting Preview

The Owls started out on a nice 8-2 run over their first 10 games this year, then hit a four-game losing streak in December and January. Kennesaw State recovered with wins over Missouri State, Jacksonville State, FIU and Western Kentucky. Since then it’s been a 2-5 run with losses to Sam Houston, LA Tech, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee and Sam Houston, though.

In the Sam Houston matchup back on Saturday the Owls were trailing 45-42 as the second half got kicked off. Kennesaw State didn’t end up getting any closer though, hitting a 38-37 deficit on the way to an 83-79 loss on their home court. Tops in scoring were RJ Johnson with 21 points and six assists, and Amir Taylor with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Missouri State Bears Betting Preview

Over on the Missouri State side, they went just 4-5 to start the season then won over Oral Roberts, Lindenwood, Delaware, UTEP and New Mexico State. The Bears lost to Kennesaw State, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee in the next four, then hit a 3-1 run from there. After losses to Liberty, LA Tech and Delaware, the Bears are currently sitting on a 13-12 record.

Matched up against Delaware back on Saturday the Bears left the floor in the first half with a 35-25 deficit. Missouri State hit a 42-41 run the rest of the way and ended up taking a loss at home by a margin of 76-67. Kobi Williams put up 25 points with two rebounds and two assists while Trey Williams had 13 points with four assists and two rebounds over 34 minutes of action.

Kennesaw State Owls @ Missouri State Bears Betting Trends: February 18, 2026

Why the Missouri State Bears will win

• Kennesaw State has lost each of its last five road night games against the Conference USA.
• Missouri State has won seven of its last nine games at Great Southern Bank Arena following a home loss.
• The home team has won the first half in 18 of Missouri State’s last 24 games.

Why the Kennesaw State Owls will win

• Missouri State has lost four of its last five games.

Kennesaw State vs Missouri State Prediction

I’ll lean toward Missouri State but this one’s a coin flip. The Bears didn’t play great over the weekend in their home loss to Delaware, hitting just 37.3 percent from the field with a 30-20 deficit in the paint and 53.1 percent shooting allowed on defense. Missouri State isn’t looking great in the win column lately at 1-4 over their last five. That said, the last three losses have each come by nine points or fewer—with two of them being decided by three points or fewer.

The last time these teams met up was back on January 7 in a 90-80 road loss for Missouri State. In that one the Bears shot 41.5 percent from the filed with just 58.1 percent (18-of-31) at the line and 13 turnovers. The 51.9 percent shooting allowed on defense didn’t help either. I like Missouri State to play better in the home rematch, though.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Missouri State Bears -2