🏀 NIT Predictions 2026: Full Schedule, Odds, and Betting Previews
Our NIT predictions highlight the biggest games in this year's NIT, with Auburn entering as the favorite.
The NIT is loaded with brand-name programs and mid-major monsters, and our NIT predictions breakdown this year's tournament as the first round gets underway.
Auburn and New Mexico are the NIT odds favorites entering the tournament, with programs like Tulsa and Yale shaping up to be popular longer shot bets.
🏀 2026 NIT bracket
Fill out your own NIT bracket with our free printable 2026 NIT bracket.
📊 NIT predictions & odds: First round matchups
Liberty vs. George Mason
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: Eagle Bank Arena (Fairfax, Va.)
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+
UNC Wilmington vs. Yale
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: John J. Lee Amphitheater (New Haven, Conn.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Wyoming vs. Wichita State
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Charles Koch Arena (Wichita, Kan.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Davidson vs. Oklahoma State
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater, Okla.)
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin vs. Tulsa
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Reynolds Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
St. Thomas (MN) vs. Seattle
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Redhawk Center (Seattle)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
South Alabama vs. Auburn
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Neville Arena (Auburn, Ala.)
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+
UNLV vs. UC Irvine
- Date: Tuesday, March 17
- Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET
- Location: Bren Events Center (Irvine, Calif.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Navy vs. Wake Forest
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Kent State vs. Illinois State
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: CEFCU Arena (Normal, Ill.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
George Washington vs. Utah Valley
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: UCCU Center (Orem, Utah)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Dayton vs. Bradley
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Carver Arena (Peoria, Ill.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Sam Houston vs. New Mexico
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: The Pit (Albuquerque, N.M.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Murray State vs. Nevada
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Lawlor Events Center (Reno, Nev.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Saint Joseph's vs. Colorado State
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET
- Location: Moby Arena (Fort Collins, Colo.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
UIC vs. California
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET
- Location: Haas Pavilion (Berkeley, Calif.)
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+
📅 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 |
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