Western Kentucky Tops Middle Tennessee in Close Contest
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Murphy Center
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 65, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 60, 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 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 65-60 at Murphy Center on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -285 (about 74% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders by a score of 65-60 at the Murphy Center on January 31, 2026. This victory marks Western Kentucky's third consecutive win against Middle Tennessee, extending their head-to-head record to 3-0 in the last three meetings. The Hilltoppers had previously secured victories over the Blue Raiders on February 16, 2025, and January 19, 2025, with scores of 87-77 and 71-57, respectively.
Entering this game, Middle Tennessee had a home record of 11-10, while Western Kentucky stood at 12-10 overall. Both teams had been struggling recently, with Middle Tennessee losing their last two games and Western Kentucky on a four-game losing streak. In their last ten games, Middle Tennessee had a record of 5-5, averaging 70.0 points scored and allowing 68.5 points per game. Conversely, Western Kentucky's recent form showed a record of 4-6, with an average of 71.5 points scored and 74.0 points allowed.
Middle Tennessee's last five games had seen them win only two, with an average of 66.0 points scored and 71.4 points allowed. Their recent losses included setbacks against the Liberty Flames and Jacksonville State Gamecocks. In contrast, Western Kentucky's last five games yielded just one win, with an average of 69.6 points scored and 74.8 points allowed, including losses to Kennesaw State and Liberty.
The game was influenced by the teams' performances at home and away. Middle Tennessee had a solid home record of 4-1 in their last five home games, while Western Kentucky struggled with a 1-4 record in their last five away games. This disparity in home and away performance added an intriguing layer to the matchup.
In terms of betting lines, DraftKings had Middle Tennessee favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 140.5. The odds for the home team to win straight up were -285, while Western Kentucky's moneyline was set at 230.
As the game unfolded, the conditions favored a competitive atmosphere, and the scoring plays showcased the tension. Notable moments included Blaise Keita's hook shot, which helped extend Western Kentucky's lead to 62-52 in the second half. Kamari Lands responded with a three-pointer to bring Middle Tennessee closer at 62-55, but the Hilltoppers maintained their composure down the stretch. Free throws from Ryan Myers and Blaise Keita further solidified Western Kentucky's lead, ultimately sealing the victory.
Overall, this game illustrated the ongoing struggles of both teams, but Western Kentucky's ability to secure the win in a tight contest may signal a turning point as they look to build momentum moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MTSU -6.5 | 140.5 o -112 / u -108 | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers +230 · Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders -285 |
Leaders
- PointsKamari Lands25Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsTorey Alston4Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsTorey Alston11Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- PointsKade Unseld17Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsTerrion Murdix7Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsBlaise Keita14Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Recent form
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 5-5Streak L270 scored · 68.5 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L65-81vs Liberty FlamesJan 30
- L58-75at Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 24
- W90-87vs Missouri State BearsJan 17
- L58-59at Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 15
- W59-55at New Mexico State AggiesJan 11
- L80-83at UTEP MinersJan 9
- W68-67vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 4
- W88-51vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 3
- L60-69at Houston CougarsDec 30
- W74-58vs Cumberland PhoenixDec 21
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 4-6Streak L471.5 scored · 74 allowed per game1-4 away
- L69-72at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 29
- L58-73at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 24
- L69-76vs Liberty FlamesJan 22
- L65-81vs Kennesaw State OwlsJan 17
- W87-72vs Missouri State BearsJan 15
- W68-56at UTEP MinersJan 10
- L64-80at New Mexico State AggiesJan 9
- W66-61vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 4
- W102-91vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 2
- L67-78at Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 30
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-64 | 20-50 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 9-28 | 4-19 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 21 |
| Free throws | 8-10 | 16-29 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 55 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 32 |
| Assists | 14 | 12 |
| Steals | 7 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 32 |
| Fouls | 18 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 57 | 41 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half34-24Armelo Boone makes 18-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half34-26Jahvin Carter makes driving layup (Torey Alston assists)
- 2nd Half34-28Chris Loofe makes 1-foot dunk (Torey Alston assists)
- 2nd Half35-28Terrion Murdix makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-28Terrion Murdix makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-30Chris Loofe makes 1-foot alley oop dunk
- 2nd Half36-32Kamari Lands makes driving layup
- 2nd Half36-33Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-34Chris Loofe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-34Ryan Myers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half38-36Jahvin Carter makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half41-36Armelo Boone makes 22-foot three point jumper (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half41-38Chris Loofe makes layup (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half41-40Torey Alston makes driving layup (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half41-43Marcus Whitlock Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tre Green assists)
- 2nd Half44-43Kade Unseld makes 25-foot three point jumper (Blaise Keita assists)
- 2nd Half44-44Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-44Terrion Murdix makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-44Armelo Boone makes 27-foot three point jumper (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half50-44LJ Hackman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-44LJ Hackman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-45Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-46Jahvin Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-46Grant Newell makes 26-foot three point jumper (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half56-46Grant Newell makes layup
- 2nd Half58-46Armelo Boone makes 2-foot dunk (Ryan Myers assists)
- 2nd Half58-47Kamari Lands makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-48Kamari Lands makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-49Kamari Lands makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half58-50Kamari Lands makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half60-50Grant Newell makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half60-52Torey Alston makes layup (Chris Loofe assists)
- 2nd Half62-52Blaise Keita makes 3-foot hook shot (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half62-55Kamari Lands makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half62-56Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-59Tre Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Torey Alston assists)
- 2nd Half62-60Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-60Ryan Myers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-60Ryan Myers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-60Blaise Keita makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, below favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Venue
- Murphy CenterMurfreesboro, TN
- Attendance4127
- OfficialsJames Curran, Allen Sutton, Steve Divine
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