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Illinois State to Face Top-Seeded Auburn in NIT Semifinals
Redbirds earn chance to take on NCAA tournament snub in postseason showcase.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:39pm
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Despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament, the Auburn Tigers have continued their strong play in the NIT postseason tournament. They will now face off against Illinois State in the semifinals, providing the Redbirds with an opportunity to take down the tournament's top overall seed.
Why it matters
Auburn's decision to compete in the NIT after being left out of the Big Dance has allowed them to showcase their talent and compete for a championship, while Illinois State has a chance to pull off a major upset against one of the nation's top teams and cement their own status as a rising program.
The details
After failing to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Auburn Tigers have dominated their NIT opponents, winning each of their games by double digits. They will now face an Illinois State team that earned its spot in the semifinals by upsetting several higher-seeded opponents.
- The NIT semifinals will take place on April 2, 2026.
- Auburn has won each of its NIT games so far by double-digit margins.
The players
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers are the top overall seed in the 2026 NIT tournament, having missed out on the NCAA Tournament despite their strong regular season performance.
Illinois State Redbirds
The Illinois State Redbirds are the underdog in this matchup, but have proven their ability to pull off upsets in the NIT tournament thus far.
What they’re saying
“We're excited to have the opportunity to compete for a championship, even if it's not the one we originally wanted. Our guys have been playing with a chip on their shoulder and are ready to prove themselves against the best teams in the country.”
— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers
“This is a huge chance for our program to make a statement. We know Auburn is a talented team, but we've shown we can beat anyone when we play our best basketball. Our guys are ready for the challenge.”
— Dan Muller, Head Coach, Illinois State Redbirds
What’s next
The winner of the Illinois State-Auburn matchup will advance to the NIT championship game on April 5, 2026.
The takeaway
The NIT provides a valuable opportunity for teams that narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament to compete for a championship and gain valuable postseason experience. This matchup between Illinois State and Auburn showcases the competitive nature of the NIT and the drive of these programs to prove themselves against the nation's best.
