Auburn to Face Illinois State in NIT Semifinal

The Tigers and Redbirds will battle for a spot in the NIT championship game.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Auburn Tigers men's basketball team will take on the Illinois State Redbirds in the semifinal round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the winner advancing to the NIT championship game.

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. Both Auburn and Illinois State had strong regular seasons but fell short of making the NCAA Tournament, so this NIT semifinal matchup represents an opportunity for the two programs to compete for a national title.

The details

The Tigers and Redbirds will square off at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the historic home court of the Butler Bulldogs. Auburn is making its first NIT semifinal appearance since 2017, while Illinois State is seeking its first NIT championship game berth since 1984.

  • The NIT semifinal game will tip off on Thursday, April 3, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. CT.

The players

Auburn Tigers

The men's basketball team from Auburn University, a public research university located in Auburn, Alabama.

Illinois State Redbirds

The men's basketball team from Illinois State University, a public research university located in Normal, Illinois.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of the Auburn-Illinois State semifinal will advance to the NIT championship game, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This NIT semifinal matchup provides an exciting opportunity for two talented college basketball programs to compete for a national postseason title after narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament. The game will showcase the depth of talent in Division I basketball beyond just the top-ranked teams.