NCAAB · Final

East Tennessee State Defeats VMI 81-67 at Home

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)

East Tennessee State Buccaneers 81, VMI Keydets 67, 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 VMI Keydets vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers beat VMI Keydets 81-67 at Freedom Hall (TN) on January 7, 2026.

Who was favored in VMI Keydets vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1800 (about 95% implied). The favorite won.

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers secured a solid victory over the VMI Keydets, winning 81-67 in a matchup that showcased the Buccaneers' strong home performance. This game was played at Freedom Hall in Tennessee, where ETSU has maintained a commendable home record of 11-5 this season. The Buccaneers entered the game with a recent form of 6-4 over their last ten games, riding a two-game winning streak. Their scoring average during this stretch was 77.6 points per game, while they allowed an average of 68.1 points. In contrast, VMI, with a record of 6-10, has struggled recently, posting a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and entering the contest on a one-game winning streak. They averaged 71.1 points scored and allowed 77.9 points during this span.

At home, the Buccaneers have been particularly effective, boasting a 5-1 record, while VMI has faced difficulties on the road, with an away record of 0-5. This disparity in home and away performance was evident in the game, as ETSU capitalized on their home-court advantage. In previous meetings this season, the Buccaneers had defeated the Keydets twice, with scores of 84-69 and 62-55, further establishing their dominance in this matchup.

The betting market reflected ETSU's strong position, with DraftKings listing them as 16.5-point favorites. The total for the game was set at 146.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair. The home moneyline was set at -1800, while VMI's moneyline was at 1000, highlighting the significant difference in perceived strength between the two teams.

In terms of player performances, the game featured several scoring plays that contributed to ETSU's victory. Notable moments included TJ Johnson making key layups and free throws, while Brian Taylor II and Blake Barkley also contributed to the scoring in the second half. VMI's efforts included attempts to close the gap, but ultimately, they could not overcome the Buccaneers' lead.

The conditions in Freedom Hall were conducive to a competitive basketball game, with both teams showcasing their skills. The Buccaneers' ability to maintain their scoring while limiting VMI's offensive output was crucial to their victory. As the game progressed, viewers could observe the effectiveness of ETSU's defensive strategies, which played a significant role in their success.

In summary, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers demonstrated their strength at home by defeating the VMI Keydets 81-67, continuing their positive trajectory in the NCAAB season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ETSU -16.5	146.5 o -108 / u -112	VMI Keydets +1000 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -1800

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCam Morris III25East Tennessee State Buccaneers
AssistsBrian Taylor II6East Tennessee State Buccaneers
ReboundsCam Morris III7East Tennessee State Buccaneers
PointsTJ Johnson30VMI Keydets
AssistsMario Tatum Jr.2VMI Keydets
ReboundsTJ Johnson9VMI Keydets

Recent form

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Last 10: 6-4Streak W277.6 scored · 68.1 allowed per game5-1 at home

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
W78-62vs Tusculum PioneersDec 7
W91-65vs South Alabama JaguarsDec 6
L71-88at Dayton FlyersDec 3
W80-57vs Central Arkansas BearsNov 29
W97-55vs UL Monroe WarhawksNov 23

VMI Keydets

Last 10: 3-7Streak W171.1 scored · 77.9 allowed per game0-5 away

W79-71vs Chattanooga MocsJan 3
L58-78vs Samford BulldogsJan 1
L90-97at Radford HighlandersDec 21
W86-70vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsDec 9
W89-36vs Christendom CrusadersDec 6
L57-82at UCF KnightsNov 29
L48-81vs Bowling Green FalconsNov 26
L70-78at Buffalo BullsNov 24
L80-99at Stetson HattersNov 23
L54-87at Richmond SpidersNov 20

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	VMI Keydets	East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Field goals	22-59	29-52
Field goal %	37	56
Three-pointers	6-26	8-20
Three-point %	23	40
Free throws	17-27	15-19
Free throw %	63	79
Rebounds	30	34
Offensive rebounds	11	5
Defensive rebounds	19	29
Assists	8	17
Steals	6	4
Blocks	3	3
Turnovers	6	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	4
Fast-break points	5	5
Points in the paint	30	36
Fouls	11	20
Largest lead	1	19
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	1	96

How the scoring went

2nd Half33-43Blake Barkley makes 3-foot dunk (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half33-45Cam Morris III makes 4-foot jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half35-45Linus Holmstrom makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half35-47Blake Barkley makes layup (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half37-47Tan Yildizoglu makes layup (AJ Clark assists)
2nd Half37-50Maki Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half37-52Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half38-52Linus Holmstrom makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half39-52Linus Holmstrom makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half39-55Blake Barkley makes 25-foot three point jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half42-55TJ Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Linus Holmstrom assists)
2nd Half42-56Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-56TJ Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mario Tatum Jr. assists)
2nd Half48-56TJ Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half48-58Jaylen Smith makes layup
2nd Half48-60Blake Barkley makes 4-foot jumper
2nd Half49-60TJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half50-60TJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half51-60TJ Johnson makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half53-60AJ Clark makes layup
2nd Half53-63Jaylen Smith makes 25-foot three point jumper (Maki Johnson assists)
2nd Half53-66Cam Morris III makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half55-66AJ Clark makes layup
2nd Half55-69Jaylen Smith makes 25-foot three point jumper (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half55-71Brian Taylor II makes 19-foot jumper
2nd Half55-73Blake Barkley makes 2-foot dunk (Cam Morris III assists)
2nd Half56-73Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-73Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-75Allen Strothers makes layup
2nd Half58-75AJ Clark makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-77Cam Morris III makes 5-foot jumper
2nd Half59-77TJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-77TJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-77TJ Johnson makes layup
2nd Half62-79Brian Taylor II makes layup (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half62-80Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-81Blake Barkley makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half64-81Walker Andrews makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half65-81Mario Tatum Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-81TJ Johnson makes layup

Win probability

Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours VMI Keydets.