Auburn & Illinois State Reach NIT Semis: Schedule, Scores & Bracket
INDIANAPOLIS – Auburn and Illinois State are headed to the National Invitation Tournament semifinals after securing quarterfinal victories on Wednesday. The Tigers will face the Redbirds at at Hinkle Fieldhouse, joining Tulsa and New Mexico as the final four teams vying for the NIT championship.
Illinois State advanced with a hard-fought 61-55 win over Dayton, fueled by a 16-point performance from Johnny Kinziger. The Redbirds have navigated a challenging path to the semifinals, previously defeating Kent State, Wake Forest, and now Dayton. Their resilience and balanced attack have been key to their success in the tournament.
Auburn, the lone power conference team remaining in the NIT field, continued its strong postseason run with a 75-69 victory over Nevada. The Tigers demonstrated their offensive firepower and defensive tenacity, securing their place in the semifinals. Auburn’s presence adds a significant layer of competitiveness to the final stages of the tournament.
The road to the semifinals wasn’t without its share of compelling matchups. On Tuesday, Tulsa secured their spot with an 83-79 win over Wichita State, highlighted by a standout performance from guard Tylen Riley, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Riley’s all-around contribution proved crucial in Tulsa’s victory.
New Mexico also advanced to the semifinals, defeating Saint Joseph’s 84-69, thanks to a dominant 27-point performance from Tomislav Bulijan. Bulijan’s scoring prowess and efficient shooting were instrumental in New Mexico’s decisive win.
The 2026 NIT has seen a diverse field of teams compete, with only four programs from power conferences – Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State – still in contention. Notably, several teams that missed out on the NCAA Tournament, including Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont, and San Diego State, declined invitations to the NIT, underscoring the heightened importance placed on reaching the NCAA tournament.
NIT Semifinal Schedule
The NIT semifinals are scheduled for , at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The matchups are as follows:
- No. 1 Tulsa vs. No. 1 New Mexico (Time TBD) – ESPN, fuboTV
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 4 Illinois State – ESPN, fuboTV
The championship game will be held on , also at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and will be broadcast on ESPN2 and fuboTV.
Tournament Recap: Road to the Semifinals
Auburn’s journey to the semifinals began with a 78-67 victory over South Alabama, followed by an 89-73 win against Nevada. Liberty fell to Auburn 91-85 in the second round. Illinois State upset Wake Forest 78-75 in the second round after defeating Kent State in the first round.
New Mexico dominated Sam Houston State 107-83 in the first round and followed it up with an 86-61 win over George Washington. Saint Joseph’s advanced after defeating Colorado State in the first round.
Wake Forest secured a first-round victory over Navy 82-72, while Dayton defeated Bradley 80-66. UNC-Wilmington upset Yale 68-67 in the first round.
Tulsa overcame a tough challenge from Stephen F. Austin, winning 89-84 in overtime. Oklahoma State defeated Davidson 84-80, and Wichita State edged out Wyoming 74-70. UNLV defeated UC Irvine 75-72 in the first round.
The NIT semifinals promise to be a compelling showcase of college basketball talent, with Auburn and Illinois State poised for a clash of styles and strategies. Tulsa and New Mexico will also battle for a spot in the championship game, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 NIT tournament.