The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will take on the Auburn Tigers in the NIT Tournament. This postseason game will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Fans can catch the action on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
Tulsa had a strong regular season with an overall record of 26-7. In the American Athletic Conference, they finished with a 14-6 record. Their performance this season has been impressive, making them a team to watch in this tournament.
Auburn, on the other hand, had a challenging season with a 17-16 overall record. In the Southeastern Conference, they ended with an 8-12 record. Last year, they made it to the Final Four, but this season has been different for the Tigers.
Auburn Preview
The Auburn Tigers play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong run. They won against Alabama State, Creighton, Michigan, and Michigan State. However, they lost to Florida in the Final Four.
In the 2026 regular season, the Tigers had a record of 17-16. Their conference record was 8-12. They scored an average of 82.7 points per game, ranking 50th. They were strong in free throws, making 19.9 per game, which ranked them 5th.
Defensively, the Tigers had 7.4 steals per game. They also averaged 4.2 blocks per game. They committed 17.5 fouls per game. In the postseason, their defense improved with 7.5 steals and 4.0 blocks per game.
Key players included Keyshawn Hall and Kevin Overton. Hall averaged 19.8 points per game in the regular season. Overton had a strong postseason, scoring 16.8 points per game. Elyjah Freeman and Filip Jovic also contributed with solid performances.
Tulsa Preview
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane had a strong 2026 regular season. They finished with an overall record of 26-7. In the American Athletic Conference, they held a record of 14-6. This performance shows their competitive edge in the conference.
Offensively, Tulsa scored 85.6 points per game, ranking 18th. They made 10.6 three-pointers per game, ranking 34th. Their field goal percentage was 47.7, placing them 44th. These stats highlight their scoring ability.
Defensively, Tulsa averaged 6.3 steals per game. They also had 2.5 blocks per game. Their turnovers per game stood at 10.3. These numbers indicate areas for improvement on defense.
Key players included David Green and Tylen Riley. Green averaged 16.1 points per game with a 50.1% field goal percentage. Riley contributed 15.1 points per game and had a 40.6% three-point shooting percentage. These players were vital to Tulsa’s success.
Statistical Breakdown for Auburn vs Tulsa
The game between Auburn and Tulsa will be shaped by their offensive and defensive stats. Auburn’s strong free throw shooting and Tulsa’s three-point shooting will be key. Both teams have solid scoring averages, with Tulsa slightly ahead. Defense will play a role, with Auburn having more blocks and steals per game. Turnovers and fouls could also impact the outcome.
- Auburn Points Per Game: 82.7 (50th)
- Tulsa Points Per Game: 85.6 (18th)
- Auburn Free Throws Made Per Game: 19.9 (5th)
- Tulsa 3PT Made Per Game: 10.6 (34th)
- Auburn Steals Per Game: 7.4
- Tulsa Steals Per Game: 6.3
- Auburn Blocks Per Game: 4.2
- Tulsa Blocks Per Game: 2.5
- Auburn Turnovers Per Game: 10.2
- Tulsa Turnovers Per Game: 10.3
- Auburn Fouls Per Game: 17.5
- Tulsa Fouls Per Game: 16.1
Betting Insights
As the Tulsa Golden Hurricane prepare to take on the Auburn Tigers, bettors have plenty of trends to consider. Tulsa has struggled straight up but has shown some promise against the spread in recent games. Auburn, on the other hand, has a strong straight-up record but has faltered against the spread lately. Here are the top betting trends to keep in mind for this game:
- Auburn has a 70.0% straight-up record in their last 10 games.
- Tulsa is 66.7% against the spread in their last 3 games.
- Auburn is 86.2% straight up as a favorite.
- Tulsa has hit the over in 80.0% of their last 5 games.
- Auburn’s over/under record is 60.6% for all games.
Free Betting Prediction for Auburn vs Tulsa
The game between Auburn and Tulsa looks to be competitive. Auburn has a slight edge with their strong free throw shooting and defensive stats. Their ability to make free throws could be crucial in a close game. Tulsa, however, has a higher scoring average and strong three-point shooting, which could challenge Auburn’s defense.
Defensively, Auburn has more steals and blocks per game. This could disrupt Tulsa’s offensive rhythm. Tulsa’s defense has room for improvement, especially in blocks. Both teams have similar turnover rates, so ball control will be important.
Considering the stats and betting trends, Auburn is favored to win. They have a strong straight-up record and perform well as favorites. Tulsa has been strong against the spread recently, but Auburn’s overall performance gives them the edge.
- Our Free Prediction: Auburn -3.5
