Little Rock Trojans vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions January 1st 2026

Little Rock Trojans vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Betting Preview

Little Rock opens Ohio Valley Conference play at home on Thursday night, hosting Tennessee Tech at the Jack Stephens Center. Both teams enter looking for traction in league play, with Tennessee Tech sitting at 6-8 and Little Rock at 4-9. You can follow live numbers and movement throughout the day on the NCAA basketball odds page.

Little Rock is coming off a productive offensive showing against Williams Baptist, scoring 98 points with balanced contributions across the lineup. Tennessee Tech, meanwhile, dropped an 88-76 decision to Tennessee State but showed efficiency on offense despite the loss.

This matchup profiles as one of the tighter conference games on the slate, with the market reflecting that.

Line Movement and Odds

Little Rock opened as a short home favorite at −1.5, with the total set at 143.5. Early action has been relatively split, with slight interest on Tennessee Tech as a road underdog due to their scoring output and efficiency inside the arc.

Both teams play faster than the conference average, but pace can tighten in early league matchups. For conference-wide context and upcoming matchups, visit the college basketball previews page.

Matchup Breakdown

Tennessee Tech’s edge is offensive efficiency. The Golden Eagles shoot nearly 47 percent from the field and rank well inside the top 100 nationally in two-point percentage. JaJuan Nicholls continues to anchor the offense, and players like Dani Pounds and Mekhi Cameron provide consistent secondary scoring.

Little Rock counters with shot-making from multiple positions. Johnathan Lawson and Cameron Wallace combined for 54 points in the last outing, while Kachi Nzeh adds interior stability. The Trojans shoot over 37 percent from three, a key advantage in close games at home.

If Tennessee Tech controls the paint and limits second-chance points, they can dictate tempo. If Little Rock stretches the floor and forces rotations, the home side gains separation. For additional model comparisons, the free college basketball picks page helps frame the spread.

Injuries and Conditions

Tennessee Tech

No major injuries reported entering conference play.
Full details: Tennessee Tech team page

Little Rock

No significant absences reported.
Full details: Little Rock team page

Indoor game, no external conditions.

Best Bets and Prediction

This sets up as a possession-by-possession game. Tennessee Tech brings the more efficient offense and has responded well after losses this season. Little Rock holds the home edge, but the scoring gap favors the underdog.

Projected Score: Tennessee Tech 75, Little Rock 70
Best Bet: Tennessee Tech +1.5
Secondary Lean: Under 143.5, with conference pacing likely slowing possessions

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ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks

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Conference games reward discipline.