NIT bracket, scores, schedule 2026: No. 1 seeds Auburn, Tulsa to meet in title game Sunday with semifinal wins
The Tigers will face Tulsa in the NIT championship game Sunday in Indianapolis
The 2026 NIT championship game is set. No. 1 seed Auburn will face No. 1 seed Tulsa on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis after each team recorded semifinal wins on Thursday. Auburn defeated No. 4 seed Illinois State 88-66, while Tulsa punched its ticket to the title game with a 74-69 victory over No. 1 seed New Mexico State.
Tulsa forward David Green finished with a team-high 13 points in the win over the Lobos. In total, five different Tulsa players finished with at least 10 points.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Auburn advanced to the NIT title game behind a team-high 24 points from Keyshawn Hall. The Tigers are one of four power conference teams in this year's NIT. While other programs like Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont and San Diego State declined bids to the NIT after missing out on the NCAA Tournament.
Tulsa will be seeking its third NIT crown later this weekend, while Auburn will play for its first title. Previously, the Tigers never made it further than the quarterfinals in the NIT. With the title game officially set, here is a look at the full bracket.
2026 NIT schedule
All times Eastern
Semifinals
Thursday, April 2
Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
Championship
Sunday, April 5
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
- No. 1 Tulsa vs. No. 1 Auburn | 8 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free)
Auburn Region
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 Auburn 78, South Alabama 67 | Recap
No. 2 Nevada 89, Murray State 75 | Recap
Liberty 77, No. 3 George Mason 71 | Recap
No. 4 Seattle U 67, St. Thomas (MN) 52 | Recap
SECOND ROUND
No. 1 Auburn 91, No. 4 Seattle U 85 | Recap
No. 2 Nevada 73, Liberty 63 | Recap
Albuquerque Region
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 New Mexico 107, Sam Houston 83 | Recap
No. 2 Cal 91, UIC 73 | Recap
No. 3 Colorado State vs. Saint Joseph's | Recap
George Washington 79, No. 4 Utah Valley 78 | Recap
SECOND ROUND
No. 1 New Mexico 86, George Washington 61 | Recap
Saint Joseph's 76, No. 2 Cal 75 | Recap
Winston-Salem Region
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 Wake Forest 82, Navy 72 | Recap
No. 2 Dayton 80, Bradley 66 | Recap
UNCW 68, No. 3 Yale 67 | Recap
No. 4 Illinois State vs. Kent State | Recap
SECOND ROUND
No. 4 Illinois State 78, No. 1 Wake Forest 75 | Recap
No. 2 Dayton 80, UNC-Wilmington 61 | Recap
Tulsa Region
FIRST ROUND
No. 1 Tulsa 89, Stephen F. Austin 84 (OT) | Recap
No. 2 Oklahoma State 84, Davidson 80 | Recap
No. 3 Wichita State 74, Wyoming 70 | Recap
UNLV 75, No. 4 UC Irvine 72 | Recap
SECOND ROUND
No. 1 Tulsa 77, UNLV 66 | Recap
No. 3 Wichita State 96, No. 2 Oklahoma State 70 | Recap
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
