The NIT championship is set between Auburn and Tulsa, who could have been discussed as NCAA Tournament teams before Sunday’s selection as both were consistently placed on the bubble.
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Coming into the title game, Tulsa has had one tough situation after another with three of its four wins coming within five points. On the other end, Auburn is coming off a lopsided victory against Illinois State in the semifinal 88-66.
Tulsa has played a Power Conference team all season in Kansas State and came away with a loss. Auburn is 10-0 against non-Power Conference teams.
Notice: 8 pm ET
| 2026 NIT Championship Game |
1st time |
2nd half |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
No. 1 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes |
9 |
||
|
Chestnut Tigers #1 |
2 |
Tulsa vs. Auburn live updates, game highlights from 2026 NIT Championship
1st time
20:00 Auburn wins the lead and Tahaad Pettiford is fouled on the first three-point shot of the game.
Pre-game notes:
Auburn and Tulsa previously met in the 2009 NIT tournament, where the Tigers earned a 74-55 victory. Auburn was also the highest-ranked team in that tournament.
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chestnut notes:
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Auburn hasn’t lost a mid-level team all year (10-0)
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Scoring margin of 332-287 (+45) during NIT run
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8-6 record in seven NIT appearances (last appeared in 2009)
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Highest ranked team in the NIT in KenPom (37th)
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Defeated Southern Alabama, Seattle, Nevada and Illinois State to advance to the NIT finals.
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Broke four-year streak of NCAA tournament appearances
tulsa notes:
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Tulsa is 0-1 against its only Power Conference opponent this season (84-83 loss to Kansas State)
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323-298 (+25) scoring margin over NIT race
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16-8 record in 11 NIT appearances (last appeared in 2015)
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Team ranked 56th in KenPom
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Defeated SFA, UNLV, Wichita State and New Mexico before the NIT finals.
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30-win season is highest in program history
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Two-time NIT champion (1981, 2001)
Headlines for Tulsa and Auburn
tulsa
Tyler Behrend
David Green
Ade Popoola
Miles Barnstable
Tylen Riley
Chestnut
Filip Jović
Keyshawn Hall
Elyjah Freeman
Kevin Overton
Tahaad Pettiford
What channel is Tulsa vs. Auburn today?
Tulsa vs. Auburn How to Watch
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 8 pm Eastern Time
Gainbridge Fieldhouse- Indianapolis, IN
TV: ESPN2 (Available on FuboTV)