| MATCHUP | Missouri State Bears | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 10-6 | 10-6 |
| Where | E.A. Diddle Arena, Bowling Green, KY | |
| When | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Missouri State Bears and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Diddle Arena in Bowling Green. Here’s a Missouri State vs Western Kentucky prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Missouri State vs Western Kentucky 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.
Missouri State Bears Betting Preview
The Bears limped to a 4-5 record in their first nine games this year, losing to Arkansas State, Texas-Arlington, Long Island U, Tulsa and Xavier during that time. Missouri State has since gone 6-1 however, beating Oral Roberts, Lindenwood, Delaware, UTEP, New Mexico State and Florida International in that stretch. Over the first 16 games so far that gives the Bears a 10-6 overall record in the books.
In their latest matchup Saturday versus Florida International, the Bears went into the second half with a 35-30 edge. Missouri State hit a 44-41 run the rest of the way, powering out a 79-71 win in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Keith Palek with 22 points, five assists and four rebounds. Kobi Williams added 14 points with five boards and Zaxton King had 14 points with three assists.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
Over on the Western Kentucky side, they were able to win each of their first four games this year before losses to Vanderbilt and South Florida. A 3-3 run came next with losses to Marshall, Tulsa and Jacksonville State. Since then it’s been a 3-1 stretch for the Hilltoppers. The wins in that time have come over Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech and UTEP, giving the team a 10-6 record in 16 games as well.
Matched up against UTEP last weekend, the Hilltoppers entered the second half with a four-point deficit. Western Kentucky woke up on a 37-21 run after that and eventually took the win 68-56. Teagan Moore put up 19 points with seven rebounds and two assists in the victory as the only player to score in double-digits. Armelo Boone added nine points and 14 rebounds however.
Missouri State Bears @ Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Trends: January 14, 2026
Why the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will win
- Western Kentucky has won seven of its last eight games at E. A. Diddle Arena.
- Missouri State has lost four of its last five road games following a home win.
Why the Missouri State Bears will win
- Missouri State has won six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Western Kentucky has lost four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Western Kentucky has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Missouri State vs Western Kentucky Prediction
I’ll take a stab on Western Kentucky but this one’s a coin flip. The Hilltoppers overcame a bad first half against a struggling UTEP team for a win over the weekend, but still shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 59.1 percent (13-of-22) from the line. WKU did notch a 43-32 rebounding advantage and a 34-18 edge on points in the paint however, while holding the Miners to just 32.1 percent shooting from the field. The Hilltoppers are 3-1 in their last four games but they’ve scored fewer than 69 points in three straight.
As for Missouri State, they shot 47.2 percent from the field with a 36-29 rebounding advantage in their weekend win over a middling FIU squad. The Bears hit just 61.3 percent (19-of-31) from the line however, and had 16 turnovers alongside a 42-20 disadvantage in the paint. It wasn’t the prettiest win in the world. Still, the Bears are 6-1 in their last seven games and scoring fairly well overall. WKU is going to have to get that shooting percentage up here.