| MATCHUP | Utah Valley Wolverines | Tarleton Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 15-6 | 11-9 |
| Where | Wisdom Gym, Stephenville, TX | |
| When | Thursday, January 29, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Utah Valley Wolverines and the Tarleton State Texans meet Thursday in college basketball action from EECU Center. Here’s a Utah Valley vs Tarleton State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Utah Valley vs Tarleton 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.
Utah Valley Wolverines Betting Preview
This year the Wolverines managed a 5-3 start across their first eight games, then took out Bowling Green, Idaho State, UC Santa Barbara, Weber State, Bethesda U, Cal Baptist and Tarleton State from there. It’s been a 3-3 run since then with wins over Southern Utah, Utah Tech and Texas-Arlington in that stretch. Over the first 21 games of the season that gives Utah Valley a 15-6 record in the books.
Last weekend versus Cal Baptist, the Wolverines held a four-point edge 28-24 by the end of the first half. Utah Valley was outpaced 41-37 the rest of the way however, and ultimately lost in overtime on the road 78-71 for a tough result. Leading the team in the defeat was Jackson Holcombe with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Isaac Davis added 18 points with five boards as well.
Tarleton State Texans Betting Preview
Over on the Tarleton State side, they were barely able to keep their heads above the .500 mark in their first nine games, logging a 5-4 overall record. The Texans would then hit a five-game win streak but faltered over the next six outings with a 1-5 run. Those losses came courtesy of Utah Valley, Abilene Christian, Southern Utah, Utah Tech and Texas-Arlington. In the first 20 games the Texans had an 11-9 record.
The Texans are having a very difficult time getting a basketball game scheduled and keeping it. Tarleton State was originally supposed to play Abilene Christian back on January 24, but that matchup was postponed to January 26 due to the weather. As the day approached the game was postponed again, but a makeup date wasn’t immediately announced.
Utah Valley Wolverines @ Tarleton State Texans Betting Trends: January 29, 2026
Why the Tarleton State Texans will win
- The home team has won nine of Utah Valley’s last 10 games.
- Utah Valley has lost each of its last three road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Utah Valley Wolverines will win
- Utah Valley has won each of its last 11 Thursday games against Conference opponents.
Utah Valley vs Tarleton State Prediction
I’ll stay with Utah Valley. The Wolverines didn’t shoot well at all in their overtime loss to Cal Baptist last weekend, hitting just 37.7 percent from the field and 10 percent (2-of-20) from outside along with 14 turnovers. That gives Utah Valley consecutive losses in the books, but they’ve won three of the last five with 70 or more points in all of those games.
These teams last met up back on New Year’s Day in a 91-85 road win for the Wolverines. In that one Utah Valley shot much better, hitting 54.7 percent from the field with 75 percent (27-of-36) from outside along with a nice 38-24 rebounding edge. The turnovers (15) still were a bit out of hand though, so the Wolverines will need to clean up their mistakes in the rematch.