The Tulsa Golden Hurricane play the Auburn Tigers in the NIT title game from Indianapolis, Indiana. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Auburn is favored by -5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -220. The total is set at 160.5 points.
Here’s my Tulsa vs. Auburn predictions and college basketball picks for April 5, 2026.
Tulsa vs Auburn Prediction
My Pick: Over 160.5 (Play to 165)
My Tulsa vs Auburn best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Tulsa vs Auburn Odds
| Tulsa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 160.5 -108o / -112u | +185 |
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 160.5 -108o / -112u | -225 |
- Tulsa vs Auburn spread: Auburn -5.5
- Tulsa vs Auburn over/under: 160.5 points
- Tulsa vs Auburn moneyline: Tulsa +185, Auburn -225
Tulsa vs. Auburn Polymarket Odds
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Tulsa vs Auburn College Basketball Betting Preview
Auburn had no issues in the NIT semifinals, crushing Illinois State by 22. Meanwhile, Tulsa held on for dear life against New Mexico in the other semifinal.
Matchup-wise, Auburn has one distinct advantage here: the offensive glass. It grabs offensive boards 37% of the time and has maintained a similar rate in the NIT. Conversely, Tulsa is 100th in defensive rebounding rate, which isn't bad, but it can give up offensive boards to bigger teams, like Auburn.
Rebounding and drawing fouls are the primary reasons why Auburn is 10th in offensive efficiency. It can struggle shooting-wise, connecting on 34% of its 3s. But if Tahaad Pettiford and Keyshawn Hall get hot, I’m not sure Tulsa can hang with the SEC foe.
Hall is a matchup nightmare at the three spot, and Pettiford can be a bit streaky, but he’s a weapon.
Filip Jovic has made the most of his increased role in the NIT. He scored 12+ points in three of four games and is shooting 65%. Jovic and uber-athletic sophomore Elyjah Freeman will have to be the engine for the Tigers' interior.
Tulsa relies heavily on shooting, attempting 3s on 48% of its field goals while connecting at a strong 38% rate — a top-five mark in college basketball.
Shooting-wise, that should be a matchup advantage for Tulsa. Standout sniper Miles Barnstable will have to shoot well. He's attempting more than nine 3s per game in the NIT and is hitting 36% of them.
Barnstable is more than just a shooter, though. He can make life a nightmare for opponents with just his threat of a jumper.
In contrast, Auburn gives up 3s at a concerning 37% clip. In general, the Tigers' defense is pretty poor, ranking 112th in efficiency. They also allow opponents to shoot 52% on 2 (223rd) and force turnovers just 16% of the time (200th).
The absolute worst matchup for Auburn's defense is a free-flowing offense with movement and a guard who penetrates the paint like Tulsa's Tylen Riley.
Both teams have certain advantages, which makes taking a side a bit difficult. I would lean Auburn, but that shooting could totally bury the Tigers if it can't stay on the pindowns drawn up for Barnstable.
I expect the tempo to be a bit faster, as Auburn is 185th in adjusted tempo and Tulsa is 139th. The total is sitting at 160.5, and KenPom calls for an 84-80 edge for Auburn — a 164 total. I was looking to take the total over anything 165 or better, so I'm more than happy to take over 160.5.
Both teams played plenty of high-scoring games down the stretch of the season and they should finish the season with one more.
My Pick: Over 160.5 (Play to 165)
