SIU-Edwardsville vs Tennessee Tech Prediction 2/19/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles meet Thursday in college basketball action from Eblen Center in Cookeville. Here’s an SIU Edwardsville vs Tennessee Tech prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SIU Edwardsville 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.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview

This year the Cougars opened things up with a 10-8 run in their first 18 games. SIU Edwardsville beat Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech before a loss to Morehead State in the next four. After that came wins over Southern Indiana, Lindenwood, Little Rock and SEMO before another loss to TN-Martin. That makes for a 17-10 record so far.

In the TN-Martin matchup over the weekend the Cougars went into the second half with a worrisome 44-32 deficit. SIU Edwardsville got better in the second half on a 44-37 advantage but it wasn’t enough in an 81-76 loss. Tyler King topped the team with 27 points and six boards with two assists. Jack Campion added 21 points with three assists and two rebounds.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Betting Preview

Over on the Eagles’ side, they limped to a 7-10 start over their first 17 games, then fell versus Southern Indiana, Morehead State, Lindenwood and SIU Edwardsville. A 4-2 run came next with wins over Little Rock, Tennessee State, Western Illinois and Southern Indiana among losses to Eastern Illinois and Morehead State. Over 27 games that makes for an 11-16 record.

Matched up against Southern Indiana on Valentine’s Day, the Golden Eagles were up 35-32 in the locker room. Tennessee Tech kept it going in the second half with a nice 47-42 run and powered out the win on the road 82-74 in the end. JaJuan Nicholls (six rebounds), Mekhi Cameron (two rebounds) and CJ McPherson (two rebounds) each had 15 points in the winning effort.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars @ Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Betting Trends: February 19, 2026

Why the SIU Edwardsville Cougars will win

• SIU Edwardsville has won each of its last five games against Tennessee Tech.

SIU Edwardsville vs Tennessee Tech Prediction

I’ll lean toward the Cougars. SIU Edwardsville is coming off a bad first half in their home loss to TN-Martin, though. In that one the Cougars shot 42.6 percent from the field with a 31-26 rebounding edge. Trouble is, SIUE gave up 53.1 percent shooting on defense and had 18 turnovers in a sloppy overall effort. The Cougars are still 7-2 in their last nine games though, and they’ve scored 71 or more points in four straight.

These teams met up back on January 24 in a tight 62-58 home win for SIUE. In that one the Cougars shot a tepid 41.8 percent from the field with 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from outside but also gave up just 37.9 percent shooting on the other side along with only seven turnovers. SIUE needs a stronger effort across the board for the road rematch.

Andrew Jett's Pick: SIU Edwardsville Cougars -1.5