Middle Tennessee vs. Kansas Prediction, Men's College Basketball Odds & Best Bets (11/6)

Fact checked at 7:58 AM ET, Nov 6, 2026

Odds as of 7:30 AM ET, Nov 6, 2026

No. 17 Kansas hosts Middle Tennessee at 9:00 PM ET at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas should run away with this one at a quick pace. The Jayhawks are deeper and bigger, Middle Tennessee wants to push the ball and shoot, and that mix should produce a wide margin and plenty of points. We're laying the points with Kansas and taking the Over.

Both teams are 1-0 after one game each. Kansas beat Fordham 95-65 in its opener. Middle Tennessee beat Fisk 117-73, but Fisk is an NAIA school, not a Division I opponent, so that score tells you how the Blue Raiders want to play more than how good they are. Kansas' three preseason games, including losses to Louisville and Duke, were exhibitions. Middle Tennessee is on the road for the first time this season, with nine newcomers on the roster.

Middle Tennessee vs. Kansas Predictions

• Pick #1: Kansas -29.5 (-111)
• Pick #2: Over 153.5 (-111)

PICK #1: Kansas -29.5 (-111)

Fordham got within six in the second half of the opener. Kansas then pulled away, winning the half 52-34 after leading 43-31 at the break, and finished at 58.3 percent shooting with a 50-33 edge on the boards. Tre White scored 22 on 9-of-12, Tyran Stokes and Leroy Blyden Jr. had 15 each, and Melvin Council Jr. handed out seven assists. Eleven Jayhawks made their Kansas debut that night, and the extra bodies wore Fordham down late.

Middle Tennessee went 17-15 last season and was picked fifth of 10 in Conference USA. Quintero Barnett, a transfer from Division II Walsh, scored 24 in the opener, and preseason all-league guard Jahvin Carter had 16 points and seven assists. They did it at home against a team from a lower level. This group now plays its first road game, against more size and more depth.

At -111 you need Kansas to cover 52.6% of the time. Garbage time is the threat. Kansas plays Kentucky next, and if Bill Self clears the bench with a 25-point lead, a Middle Tennessee team that can shoot is capable of sneaking inside the number. Kansas' depth is why we'll take that chance: its second unit is a smaller step down than most.

PICK #2: Over 153.5 (-111)

Kansas scored 95 in its opener while making only 16 of 30 free throws, a number Self called a major concern. A normal night at the line adds points to a team that already shot 58 percent from the field.

The 117 Middle Tennessee scored came against an NAIA team, so ignore the number and look at how it got there. The Blue Raiders shot well from three, Marcus Whitlock Jr. hit four of them, and Eli Rice scored 18 off the bench. A team built like that won't slow the game down, and extra possessions help Kansas more than the visitors. A 92-62 Kansas win covers the spread and clears the total.

The price implies a 52.6% chance, and 85% of the money on the total has come in on the Over from 53% of the bets. The Over loses if Kansas' defense takes over. Hold Middle Tennessee in the 50s and Kansas needs close to 100 by itself, which is a lot even for a team coming off 95.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.