Tennessee State vs UT Martin Prediction 2/18/25 College Basketball Picks

The Tennessee State Tigers and the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Elam Center. Here’s a Tennessee State vs TN-Martin prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Tennessee State vs TN-Martin pick. We will examine: 

The Tennessee State Tigers’ recent form and player performance

The Tennessee Martin Skyhawks’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tennessee State Tigers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks

Recent betting trends in games played between Tennessee State and TN-Martin

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Tennessee State vs TN-Martin game

Tennessee State Tigers Betting Preview

Tennessee State began the season on a pretty ugly run, but they’ve been better lately. The Tigers lost 11 of their first 16 games this year, falling versus Colorado State, Wyoming, Howard, Chattanooga, Bryant, UNC Asheville, Western Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Morehead State, Southeast Missouri State, and Lindenwood in that time. Since then it’s been an 8-3 run over 11 games, with losses to only SIU Edwardsville, Southeast Missouri State, and SIU Edwardsville again in that time. Otherwise, the wins were over Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, TN-Martin, Tennessee Tech, Little Rock, Western Illinois, Lindenwood, and Eastern Illinois again during that time. Overall that gives the Tigers a 13-14 record through 27 games this year.

In the SIU Edwardsville road rematch back on Saturday, the Tigers came out of the break sporting a 40-39 advantage. Tennessee State was outscored 45-32 the rest of the way, however, resulting in a loss of 84-72 in the end. Justus Jackson led the way with his 15 points and five assists in the losing effort. Aaron Nkrumah added 14 points with seven rebounds, two steals, and a block in 39 minutes of action as well. 

TN-Martin Skyhawks Betting Preview

Over on the Tennessee-Martin side, they’ve got a couple of good stretches in the books but haven’t been able to stay above the .500 mark so far. The Skyhawks lost six of their first eight games, taking out only Illinois State and Kentucky Christian in that time. TN-Martin would go 7-4 over the next 11 outings with wins over Montreat, Champion Christian, Southern Indiana, Southeast Missouri State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, and SIU Edwardsville. Losses to Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, SEMO, Little Rock, and Lindenwood followed in the next five outings, but since then it’s been three straight wins over Western Illinois, SIU Edwardsville, and Eastern Illinois. That gives the Skyhawks a 12-15 record through their first 27 games so far. 

Matched up against Eastern Illinois in a road game over the weekend, the Skyhawks were up 41-24 by halftime. TN-Martin was outscored 44-31 from there but held on for the win 72-68 in the end. Afan Trnka was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points, nine assists, three steals, and three rebounds. Vladimer Salaridze notched a double-double off the bench with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 28 minutes of action on the floor. 

Why the UT Martin Skyhawks will win

• UT Martin has won each of its last 10 Tuesday games at Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.
• Tennessee State has lost four of its last five night games at Kathleen and Tom Elam Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Tennessee State Tigers will win

• Tennessee State has won each of its last five night games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• UT Martin has lost nine of its last 12 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Tennessee State has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Tennessee State vs Tennessee-Martin Prediction 

I’ll try the Skyhawks here, but you could make a case either way. TN-Martin played pretty well in their weekend win over Eastern Illinois (despite a slow second half), shooting 47.4 percent from the field with a 39-28 rebounding edge. The Skyhawks hit just 10-of-18 from the line though, along with 17 turnovers for 23 Panthers points. 

These teams last met up back on January 21 in an 81-80 overtime win for Tennessee State at home. Both teams had comparable shooting and rebounding numbers, but the Tigers hit 11 shots from outside. It was a sloppy game on both sides with a whopping 43 turnovers though, so we could be in for a mess on Tuesday. That said, it should be a competitive matchup overall.