Specifically, the 2026 National Invitation Tournament Final Four features top seeds Auburn, New Mexico, and Tulsa, along with fourth-seeded Illinois State. These four teams advanced to the semifinal round held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Note that the NIT Final Four first semifinal game at Hinkle Fieldhouse features the top-seeded Tulsa Golden Hurricane facing the top-seeded New Mexico Lobos. Following that contest, the top-seeded Auburn Tigers will play the fourth-seeded Illinois State Redbirds.
Auburn remains the only high major program in the final field after defeating Nevada in the quarterfinals. Illinois State reached this stage by upsetting Dayton. While Tulsa advanced past Wichita State, New Mexico defeated Saint Joseph’s. The college basketball betting winners of the semifinal games will meet for the NIT title on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Final Four NIT is the final stage of the National Invitation Tournament, a prestigious postseason competition for 32 NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams that did not receive an NCAA Tournament bid. At the onset, it was founded in 1938. The NIT basketball tournament is the oldest postseason college basketball tournament in the United States and is currently operated by the NCAA. The Final Four round consists of the two semifinal games and the championship game, which determines the tournament winner.
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The NIT starts with the semifinal round on Thursday, April 2.
First, the top-seeded New Mexico Lobos against the top-seeded Tulsa Golden Hurricane at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Next, the second semifinal between the top-seeded Auburn Tigers and the fourth-seeded Illinois State Redbirds will be at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
This final matchup moves to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with a scheduled tip-off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Now the NIT odds are available for sides, moneylines, totals, and futures for the championship team.
New Mexico vs. Tulsa shows New Mexico favored by 4.5 with a sportsbook moneyline of -182, while Tulsa returns +150. The total is 160.5.
Auburn vs. Illinois State shows Auburn favored by -6.5, with a moneyline at -275, while Illinois State returns approximately +220. The total is at 149.5.
2026 NIT Final Four Teams
Auburn Tigers 1-Seed
As the only high-major program remaining in the field, Auburn entered the tournament as the highest-ranked team on KenPom (40th overall) to miss the NCAA tournament. Hence, the Tigers advanced to the semifinals after a 75-69 quarterfinal win over Nevada. Guard Kevin Overton has been a standout, notably scoring 23 points in their second-round victory over Seattle U.
New Mexico Lobos 1-Seed
The Lobos reached the Final Four by defeating Saint Joseph’s 84-69 in the quarterfinals. Forward Tomislav Bulijan led that effort with a dominant 27-point performance. Specifically known for their high-scoring offense, New Mexico opened the tournament with a 107-point outburst against Sam Houston.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 1-Seed
Tulsa secured its spot in Indianapolis with an 83-79 quarterfinal victory over Wichita State. Namely, Guard Tylen Riley has been the engine of their postseason run, contributing 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the quarterfinal win.
Illinois State Redbirds 4-Seed
Finally, carrying the “Cinderella” college basketball odds label of this year’s Final Four, the Redbirds have pulled off consecutive upsets against top-seeded Wake Forest and second-seeded Dayton. They rely heavily on a junior trio consisting of Johnny Kinziger, Chase Walker, and Ty Pence. In turn, Kinziger has been particularly clutch, hitting a game-winning three-pointer to eliminate Wake Forest and leading the team with 16 points against Dayton.