Auburn basketball finds itself back at the site of the Final Four for the second consecutive season, but this time, it’s not for the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the Tigers are making waves in the NIT, having narrowly missed out on March Madness as the second team left out.
Auburn's journey through the NIT has been impressive, securing wins over South Alabama, Seattle, and Nevada to earn a spot in the semifinals. Their next challenge is against 4-seed Illinois State on Thursday, April 2, with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
For those tuning in, ESPN's Matt Schumacker, Fran Fraschilla, and Taylor Tannenbaum will be calling the action live from Hinkle Fieldhouse. Fans can also catch the radio broadcast on WLWI-FM (92.3) in Montgomery and WGZZ-FM (94.3) in Auburn, with streaming options available online.
Reflecting on Auburn's 2025-26 season, the Tigers have put together a 20-16 record, including a 7-11 mark in SEC play. The season has been a rollercoaster, featuring thrilling victories and tough losses.
Highlights include a strong start with wins over Bethune-Cookman and Merrimack, as well as a notable victory against No. 15 St.
John's.
The Tigers faced fierce competition throughout, with narrow defeats to powerhouses like No. 2 Houston and No.
6 Michigan. Despite some setbacks, Auburn showed resilience, especially with a statement win against No.
15 Arkansas in January.
As Auburn prepares to face Illinois State, fans are eager to see if the Tigers can continue their NIT run and bring home a championship. With the season winding down, Auburn’s performance in the NIT could set the tone for future success and provide a springboard into next year.