East Tennessee State Dominates The Citadel 84-55
Friday, January 23, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)
East Tennessee State Buccaneers 84, The Citadel Bulldogs 55, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won The Citadel Bulldogs vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
East Tennessee State Buccaneers beat The Citadel Bulldogs 84-55 at Freedom Hall (TN) on January 23, 2026.
Who was favored in The Citadel Bulldogs vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -2100 (about 95% implied). The favorite won.
The East Tennessee State Buccaneers delivered a commanding performance against The Citadel Bulldogs, winning decisively with a final score of 84-55 at Freedom Hall in Tennessee. This victory continues East Tennessee State's strong season, improving their record to 16-6, while The Citadel falls to 6-16. The Buccaneers have now won three straight games against The Citadel, showcasing their dominance in this matchup over recent seasons.
In terms of recent form, East Tennessee State has been performing well, boasting a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, with a current winning streak of two games. They have averaged 73.7 points scored per game while allowing 69.4 points. Their last five games reflect a solid performance, with an average of 75.6 points scored and 68.0 points allowed. The Buccaneers' home record stands at 3-1 in their last four home games, contributing to their overall home record of 10-2 this season.
Conversely, The Citadel has struggled throughout the season, holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten games, also on a two-game winning streak. However, their overall scoring average is lower than that of their opponents, with 69.1 points scored per game against a higher average of 79.2 points allowed. The Bulldogs have faced difficulties on the road, with a record of 1-5 in their last six away games, which is part of their overall away record of 2-10.
The teams had previously met on December 30, 2025, where East Tennessee State also triumphed, winning 74-49. This latest victory reinforces the Buccaneers' dominance in their recent encounters, as they have won all three meetings this season and last, with scores of 70-52 and 81-66 in earlier matchups.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability for either team. However, both teams have been navigating their respective challenges as they approach the latter part of the season.
The betting market, according to DraftKings, had East Tennessee State favored by 17.5 points, with a total set at 141.5. The odds for the over were -112.0, while the under was at -108.0. East Tennessee State's moneyline was priced at -2100.0, indicating a strong belief in their ability to win, while The Citadel's moneyline stood at 1100.0, reflecting the market's view of their underdog status.
The game conditions were conducive to a strong performance from East Tennessee State, as they capitalized on their home-court advantage. The Buccaneers' scoring was highlighted by several key plays in the second half, including three-point shots from Braxton Williams and Milton Matthews III, showcasing their shooting prowess from beyond the arc. The scoring plays demonstrated a balanced offensive effort, with multiple players contributing to the scoreline.
Viewers should have noted the Buccaneers' effective perimeter shooting and their ability to control the tempo of the game, which ultimately led to their comfortable victory. The final score of 84-55 not only reflects the skill and strategy employed by East Tennessee State but also underscores the challenges faced by The Citadel in keeping pace with their opponents.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ETSU -17.5 | 141.5 o -112 / u -108 | The Citadel Bulldogs +1100 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -2100 |
Leaders
- PointsJaylen Smith17East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- AssistsJaylen Smith5East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- ReboundsBlake Barkley10East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- PointsLogan Applegate18The Citadel Bulldogs
- AssistsEze Wali6The Citadel Bulldogs
- ReboundsLogan Applegate6The Citadel Bulldogs
Recent form
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Last 10: 6-4Streak W273.7 scored · 69.4 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W67-66at Chattanooga MocsJan 22
- W76-75at Samford BulldogsJan 17
- L68-72at Western Carolina CatamountsJan 14
- W86-60vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 10
- W81-67vs VMI KeydetsJan 8
- W77-71vs Mercer BearsJan 3
- W74-49at The Citadel BulldogsDec 30
- L75-81vs Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 20
- L58-77at North Carolina Tar HeelsDec 17
- L75-76at Austin Peay GovernorsDec 13
The Citadel Bulldogs
Last 10: 3-7Streak W269.1 scored · 79.2 allowed per game1-5 away
- W77-75vs Furman PaladinsJan 22
- W82-68at VMI KeydetsJan 18
- L66-69at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 16
- W79-77vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 10
- L63-101at Mercer BearsJan 8
- L86-95vs Wofford TerriersJan 3
- L49-74vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersDec 30
- L56-80at Richmond SpidersDec 20
- L78-82at Charleston CougarsDec 18
- L55-71at South Carolina GamecocksDec 14
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State | 23-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Mercer | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Wofford | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Samford | 18-14 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Furman | 22-13 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Western Carolina | 15-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| UNC Greensboro | 15-19 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Chattanooga | 13-19 | 6 | 7-11 |
| The Citadel | 11-22 | 6 | 7-11 |
| VMI | 6-26 | 12 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | The Citadel Bulldogs | East Tennessee State Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 19-53 | 31-55 |
| Field goal % | 36 | 56 |
| Three-pointers | 11-27 | 10-28 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 36 |
| Free throws | 6-15 | 12-17 |
| Free throw % | 40 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 24 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 34 |
| Assists | 16 | 20 |
| Steals | 3 | 8 |
| Blocks | 2 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 14 | 40 |
| Fouls | 14 | 10 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 32 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 8 | 89 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half21-36Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half21-38Brian Taylor II makes 19-foot jumper
- 1st Half24-38Christian Moore makes 28-foot three point jumper (Dante Kearse assists)
- 1st Half24-40Jordan McCullum makes layup (Cam Morris III assists)
- 1st Half24-42Cam Morris III makes layup
- 1st Half24-44Blake Barkley makes layup (Jaylen Smith assists)
- 1st Half24-46Cam Morris III makes layup (Brian Taylor II assists)
- 1st Half24-49Cam Morris III makes 30-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Smith assists)
- 1st Half25-49Logan Applegate makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half26-49Logan Applegate makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half27-49Christian Moore makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half27-51Brian Taylor II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half27-52Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half30-52Braxton Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Eze Wali assists)
- 2nd Half30-54Blake Barkley makes layup
- 2nd Half30-56Blake Barkley makes layup
- 2nd Half33-56Logan Applegate makes 26-foot three point jumper (Eze Wali assists)
- 2nd Half35-56Logan Applegate makes 16-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half35-59Jaylen Smith makes 29-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half35-61Cam Morris III makes 1-foot dunk (Milton Matthews III assists)
- 2nd Half35-63Brian Taylor II makes 1-foot dunk (Milton Matthews III assists)
- 2nd Half38-63Logan Applegate makes 24-foot three point jumper (Christian Moore assists)
- 2nd Half40-63Eze Wali makes layup (Braxton Williams assists)
- 2nd Half40-64Jordan McCullum makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-64Christian Moore makes 24-foot three point jumper (Eze Wali assists)
- 2nd Half43-67Jaylen Smith makes 27-foot three point jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
- 2nd Half44-67Christian Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-69Gabe Sisk makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half44-71Allen Strothers makes 6-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half44-74Milton Matthews III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
- 2nd Half44-75Gabe Sisk makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-76Gabe Sisk makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-76Braxton Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Marcos Gonzales assists)
- 2nd Half47-77Gabe Sisk makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-78Gabe Sisk makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-78Dante Kearse makes 23-foot three point jumper (Keynan Davis assists)
- 2nd Half50-81Milton Matthews III makes 27-foot three point jumper (Maki Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half52-81Logan Menefee makes layup
- 2nd Half52-84Maki Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
- 2nd Half55-84Dante Kearse makes 27-foot three point jumper (Marcos Gonzales assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours The Citadel Bulldogs.
Venue
- Freedom Hall (TN)Johnson City, TN
- Attendance3765
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond