🏀 NIT Odds 2026: Betting Favorites, Best Bets & Full NIT Bracket
After getting snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, Auburn is the biggest name in the 2026 NIT field and the betting favorites by the latest NIT odds to win the college basketball tournament, which tips off today with the first round on campus sites.
New Mexico (+380), Wake Forest (+550), and Tulsa (+1000) round out the No. 1 seeds ahead of the first round, while the semifinals and championship shift to Indianapolis in early April. Here's a look at the latest NIT odds with my picks and best bets to emerge from the 32-team bracket.
🏀 NIT odds & betting favorites 2026
Odds to win the NIT via DraftKings as of Tuesday, March 17; subject to change.
| Team | Seed | NIT odds |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 1 | +350 |
| New Mexico | 1 | +380 |
| Wake Forest | 1 | +550 |
| Tulsa | 1 | +1000 |
| Oklahoma State | 2 | +1200 |
| Nevada | 2 | +1300 |
| Dayton | 2 | +1700 |
| California | 2 | +2000 |
| Wichita State | 3 | +2500 |
| Yale | 3 | +2800 |
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🏆 Who will win the NIT in 2026?
I'm picking Auburn to win the 2026 NIT. The Tigers have the No. 14 adjusted offense in the country, a top-five strength of schedule, and the most talented team in this field by a wide margin. Steven Pearl's team has high-caliber wins over Florida and St. John's, and they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder after getting snubbed from the NCAA Tournament. At +350, you're not getting a ton of value on the favorite, but Auburn is a cut above the rest of this field.
🔮 Best bets to win NIT 2026
See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.
| Prediction | Odds (DraftKings) | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn to win NIT | +350 | Most talented team in the field with a top-15 offense and a massive motivation edge after the NCAA Tournament snub |
| Tulsa to win NIT | +1000 | Best record in the field at 26-7, averaging 85 PPG with three double-digit scorers; elite offensive depth at a nice price |
| Yale to win NIT | +2800 | 24-6 with a top-35 offense in efficiency; experienced roster that barely lost the Ivy League Tournament final in OT |
📋 Full 2026 NIT bracket
Download our free printable 2026 NIT bracket ahead of the tournament.
The 2026 NIT features 32 teams from 18 conferences, with the first three rounds played at campus sites. The top 16 teams are seeded; the bottom 16 are unseeded and placed geographically.
Region 1
| Seed | Matchup | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vs. N/A | Auburn vs. South Alabama | Tues., March 17, 10 p.m. ET |
| 2 vs. N/A | Nevada vs. Murray State | Wed., March 18, 10 p.m. ET |
| 3 vs. N/A | George Mason vs. Liberty | Tues., March 17, 6 p.m. ET |
| 4 vs. N/A | Seattle U vs. St. Thomas (MN) | Tues., March 17, 10 p.m. ET |
Auburn is the headliner and the clear favorite to come out of this region. Nevada hosting Murray State is a sneaky good first-round game, and George Mason vs. Liberty is a matchup between two teams capable of making a run. Seattle U is making its first NIT appearance since 1957, and St. Thomas (MN) is making its first-ever Division I postseason appearance.
Region 2
| Seed | Matchup | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vs. N/A | New Mexico vs. Sam Houston | Wed., March 18, 9 p.m. ET |
| 2 vs. N/A | Cal vs. UIC | Wed., March 18, 11 p.m. ET |
| 3 vs. N/A | Colorado State vs. Saint Joseph's | Wed., March 18, 11 p.m. ET |
| 4 vs. N/A | Utah Valley vs. George Washington | Tues., March 17, 8 p.m. ET |
New Mexico will lean on its home crowd and the sharpshooting of freshman Jake Hall (16.0 PPG, 44.4% from three). Cal gives this region a second power-conference team, and George Washington's Rafael Castro (15.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.7 BPG) is one of the best individual players in the NIT field.
Region 3
| Seed | Matchup | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vs. N/A | Wake Forest vs. Navy | Wed., March 18, 7 p.m. ET |
| 2 vs. N/A | Dayton vs. Bradley | Wed., March 18, 9 p.m. ET |
| 3 vs. N/A | Yale vs. UNC Wilmington | Tues., March 17, 7 p.m. ET |
| 4 vs. N/A | Illinois State vs. Kent State | Wed., March 18, 8 p.m. ET |
This is the most balanced region in the bracket. Wake Forest has the best player in the NIT in Juke Harris, but Dayton is making its record 29th NIT appearance and has the experience to make a deep run. Yale went 24-6 and has a top-35 offense in efficiency; the Bulldogs are a legitimate sleeper.
Region 4
| Seed | Matchup | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vs. N/A | Tulsa vs. Stephen F. Austin | Tues., March 17, 9 p.m. ET |
| 2 vs. N/A | Oklahoma State vs. Davidson | Tues., March 17, 8 p.m. ET |
| 3 vs. N/A | Wichita State vs. Wyoming | Tues., March 17, 7 p.m. ET |
| 4 vs. N/A | UC Irvine vs. UNLV | Tues., March 17, 11 p.m. ET |
Tulsa had the best regular season of any team in the NIT at 26-7 and averages 85 points per game behind a three-headed scoring attack of David Green (16.5 PPG), Tylen Riley (14.7), and Miles Barnstable (14.8). Oklahoma State vs. Davidson could draw some national attention, and UC Irvine made the NIT championship game last year.
🚫 2026 NIT opt-outs
Belmont, Virginia Tech, San Diego State, Seton Hall, Indiana, Florida State, and Oklahoma all turned down bids. Indiana and Oklahoma were among the last teams left out of the NCAA Tournament and chose to end their seasons rather than play in the NIT. The College Basketball Crown, a postseason tournament launched by Fox Sports, has also pulled some teams away from the NIT field.
📅 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 |
📈 Past NIT champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Chattanooga | UC Irvine |
| 2024 | Seton Hall | Indiana State |
| 2023 | North Texas | UAB |
| 2022 | Xavier | Texas A&M |
| 2021 | Memphis | Mississippi State |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | N/A |
| 2019 | Texas | Lipscomb |
| 2018 | Penn State | Utah |
| 2017 | TCU | Georgia Tech |
| 2016 | George Washington | Valparaiso |
❓ 2026 NIT odds FAQ
Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions for March Madness.
Who is the favorite to win the NIT in 2026?
Auburn (+350) is the favorite to win the 2026 NIT. The Tigers were among the biggest snubs from the NCAA Tournament and enter the NIT with the No. 14 adjusted offense in the country, a top-five strength of schedule, and high-caliber wins over Florida and St. John's.
When does the 2026 NIT start?
The 2026 NIT tips off with first-round games on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18. All first-round, second-round, and quarterfinal games are played at campus sites. The semifinals are April 2 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the championship on April 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
What teams are in the 2026 NIT?
The 2026 NIT features 32 teams from 18 conferences. The four No. 1 seeds are Auburn, New Mexico, Tulsa, and Wake Forest. Only four power-conference teams are in the field: Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State. Several notable programs declined NIT invitations, including Indiana, Oklahoma, Seton Hall, and Virginia Tech.
Where is the 2026 NIT championship?
The 2026 NIT semifinals will be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 2, with the championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 5 at 8 p.m. ET. This is the first year the NIT championship will be held during Final Four weekend.
Who won the NIT last year?
The Chattanooga Mocs won the 2025 NIT, defeating UC Irvine 85-84 in overtime in the championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
How can I watch the 2026 NIT?
All NIT games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+. Check local listings for specific game assignments.
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