🏀 NIT Predictions 2026: Championship Schedule, Odds, and Betting Preview

Our expert 2026 NIT predictions break down the championship game, with Auburn being a 4.5-point betting favorite against Tulsa.
Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford has the Tigers favored over Tulsa in the NIT championship, as we break down our NIT predictions.
Pictured: Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford has the Tigers favored over Tulsa in the NIT championship, as we break down our NIT predictions. Photo by Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
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The 2026 NIT championship game is set, with No. 1 seeds Auburn and Tulsa clashing, and our NIT predictions break down Sunday's game.

Slated for April 5 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2), the Tigers are a 5.5-point betting favorite against the Golden Hurricanes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.


💰 NIT predictions 2026: championship

Tulsa vs. Auburn odds & predictions

  • Date: Sunday, April 5
  • Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN2
  • Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Tulsa vs. Auburn prediction: Tulsa +5.5

"This Tulsa squad is one of the best in program history, winning 30-plus games for the second time ever. The Golden Hurricane are also the ninth team from the American Conference to reach 30 wins in a season. Tulsa's starting five of Tylen Riley, Miles Barnstable, Ade Popoola, David Green, and Tyler Behrend have a plus-minus of plus-176, ranking them fourth in the country, per EvanMiya." - via Mike Spector


📅 2026 NIT schedule

Round Dates Location
First round March 17-18 Campus sites
Second round March 21-22 Campus sites
Quarterfinals March 24-25 Campus sites
Semifinals April 2 Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Championship April 5, 8 p.m. ET Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

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