Auburn Tigers Advance to NIT Second Round

Overton and Magwood lead second-half surge over South Alabama

Mar. 18, 2026 at 5:04am

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The Auburn Tigers defeated the South Alabama Jaguars in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), powered by strong performances from players Kevin Overton and Kaden Magwood in the second half.

Why it matters

The NIT is a prestigious postseason tournament for teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Auburn's victory keeps their season alive and gives them a chance to compete for the NIT championship.

The details

Auburn trailed South Alabama at halftime but rallied in the second half, with Overton and Magwood leading the charge. The Tigers were able to pull away and secure the victory, advancing to the second round of the NIT.

  • The game was played on March 18, 2026.

The players

Kevin Overton

A key player for the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.

Kaden Magwood

Another important contributor to the Auburn Tigers' victory over South Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to step up in the second half to keep our season going. Overton and Magwood really led the way for us.”

— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers

What’s next

Auburn will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Clemson and Colorado State in the second round of the NIT.

The takeaway

Auburn's ability to rally in the second half and get key contributions from their players demonstrates the team's resilience and determination to extend their season in the NIT tournament.