| MATCHUP | Tennessee State Tigers | SE Missouri State Redhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 19-9 | 18-11 |
| Where | Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO | |
| When | Thursday, February 26, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Tennessee State Tigers and the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks meet Thursday in college basketball action from Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Here’s a Tennessee State vs Southeast Missouri State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Tennessee State vs Southeast 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.
Tennessee State Tigers Betting Preview
Tennessee State managed a 10-6 run over their first 16 games this year, then beat Morehead State, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood and Little Rock over the next six. It’s been a 5-1 run in the last half dozen games as the Tigers have taken out Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood and SIU Edwardsville for a 19-9 overall record this year.
In the SIU Edwardsville matchup last weekend the Tigers were sitting in the locker room with a 40-26 edge. Tennessee State closed out the game on a nice 40-27 run in the second half and cruised to the blowout win on their home court 80-53 in the end. Aaron Nkrumah had 26 points with 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals while Antoine Lorick added 15 points with six boards.
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Betting Preview
Over on the Redhawks’ side, they posted a sketchy 9-10 record over their first 19 games this year. Southeast Missouri State beat TN-Martin, Little Rock, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Morehead State and Southern Indiana before a loss to SIU Edwardsville, then beat Lindenwood, TN-Martin and Little Rock. That makes for an 18-11 record overall this year.
In the Little Rock matchup on Saturday the Redhawks left the floor in the first half with a 32-30 deficit. Southeast Missouri State closed out the game on a 40-33 run however, and powered out the comeback win in the end 70-65 on the road. Luke Almodovar led the team with 11 points and nine rebounds while Marqueas Bell added 12 points with six rebounds and two assists.
Tennessee State Tigers @ Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Betting Trends: February 26, 2026
Why the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will win
- Southeast Missouri State has won nine of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Tennessee State has lost each of its last four night games at Show Me Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Tennessee State has lost the first half in six of its last eight games at Show Me Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Tennessee State Tigers will win
- Tennessee State has won 13 of its last 14 Thursday games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
Tennessee State vs Southeast Missouri State Prediction
I’ll stick with the Redhawks but this one’s a coin flip. SEMO started a bit slowly in a road win versus Little Rock last weekend, but eventually hit 44.6 percent from the field with a 37-29 rebounding edge. Southeast Missouri State wasn’t great from outside on 22.7 percent (5-of-22) but did hold the Trojans to just 37.9 percent shooting. The Redhawks are a nice 9-1 in their last 10 games and they’ve scored 70 or more points in two of the last three.
These teams haven’t seen each other since way back on December 20 in a 91-82 road win for SEMO. In that one the Redhawks shot a very nice 57.7 percent from the field with a 37-25 rebounding edge and a 40-34 advantage on points in the paint. Southeast Missouri State also racked up 18 turnovers though, so they need to clean up the mistakes in the home rematch.