UT Martin Skyhawks vs Tennessee State Tigers Picks and Predictions for Friday March 6 2026
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The UT Martin Skyhawks and Tennessee State Tigers meet in the OVC Championship Semifinal on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPNU. UT Martin advanced to this stage after winning its quarterfinal matchup, while Tennessee State earned a bye into the semifinal after a strong regular season in conference play. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting analysis and daily predictions.
UT Martin Looks to Build on Quarterfinal Victory
The UT Martin Skyhawks enter the semifinal with a 22-10 overall record and a 13-7 OVC conference record. The Skyhawks advanced to this round with a 66-63 victory over Eastern Illinois in the OVC Championship Quarterfinal. In recent games, UT Martin has recently won over Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech while recently losing to Tennessee State, Little Rock, and Southeast Missouri.
UT Martin averages 70.4 points per game while allowing just 63.0 points per contest, showing a strong defensive profile. The Skyhawks shoot 42% from the field and average 40.3 rebounds per game, one of the better rebounding numbers in the conference. They also average 13.6 assists per game, along with 4.4 blocks and 8.9 steals, reflecting a defense that can disrupt opponents and create transition opportunities.
In their quarterfinal win over Eastern Illinois, Matas Deniusas led UT Martin with 17 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and providing steady scoring throughout the game. Andrija Bukumirovic controlled the glass with 10 rebounds, including multiple offensive boards that helped UT Martin maintain possession during key stretches. That rebounding advantage could again become important as the Skyhawks attempt to slow down a Tennessee State team that thrives offensively.
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Tennessee State Enters Semifinal Rested and Confident
The Tennessee State Tigers enter the OVC Championship Semifinal with a 21-9 overall record and a 15-5 conference record, earning a bye into the semifinal round thanks to their strong regular-season finish. Tennessee State has been playing excellent basketball lately, having recently won over UT Martin, Southeast Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, and Lindenwood while recently losing to Morehead State.
The Tigers average 80.5 points per game while allowing 74.2 points per contest, making them one of the higher-scoring teams in the OVC. Tennessee State shoots 46% from the field and averages 37.8 rebounds per game, while producing 13.1 assists per contest. Defensively, they generate 9.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game, indicating a team that plays aggressively on both ends of the floor.
In their most recent meeting with UT Martin, a 67-42 victory, Aaron Nkrumah led the Tigers with 20 points while also grabbing 5 rebounds, showing his ability to dominate both offensively and on the glass. His performance helped Tennessee State control the pace of the game and force UT Martin into inefficient shooting. With that defensive intensity and offensive balance, the Tigers will look to replicate that success in this semifinal matchup.
UT Martin Skyhawks vs Tennessee State Tigers Pick
UT Martin Skyhawks vs Tennessee State Tigers Spread Pick
- Pick: Tennessee State Tigers Moneyline
Tennessee State enters this game with the advantage of rest and confidence after a convincing win over UT Martin in their most recent meeting. The Tigers have the more explosive offense and a defensive unit that can create turnovers and easy transition points. UT Martin’s rebounding ability keeps them competitive, but Tennessee State’s scoring depth and defensive pressure give them the edge in this semifinal matchup.
UT Martin Skyhawks vs Tennessee State Tigers Total Pick
- Pick: Under 144.5
I like the under in this matchup because UT Martin’s defensive style tends to slow games down and limit scoring opportunities. While Tennessee State can score quickly, tournament games often tighten up defensively, especially in semifinal matchups where possessions become more valuable. With UT Martin focusing on rebounding and half-court defense, I expect a more controlled pace that keeps the total under the number.
Final Score Prediction: Tennessee State Tigers 72, UT Martin Skyhawks 66
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