NIT Championship Tulsa vs Auburn Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Sunday April 5 2026
Use Code WWWC Indianapolis is the backdrop and a real trophy is on the line Sunday night as Tulsa and Auburn square off in the NIT Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and if you have been tracking our college basketball picks all season, you know this is not your ordinary consolation bracket — these are two programs with legitimate chips on their shoulders and something meaningful to prove before the calendar flips.
Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Auburn -5.5
- Total Pick: Under 159.5
- Projected Final Score: Auburn 82, Tulsa 74
Odds and Line Movement
Opening Odds
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | +5.5 | 160.5 |
| Auburn | -5.5 | 160.5 |
Current Odds
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | +5.5 (-108) | 159.5 (-105) |
| Auburn | -5.5 (-112) | 159.5 (-115) |
Line Movement - Spread
| Date | Time | Tulsa | Auburn | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/03 | 11:23:22 PM | +5.5 (-112) | -5.5 (-108) | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:53 PM | +5.5 (-115) | -5.5 (-105) | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:26 PM | — | — | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:12 PM | +5.5 (-115) | -5.5 (-105) | — |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/05 | 02:11:33 AM | 159.5 (-115) | 159.5 (-105) | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:53 PM | 160.5 (-108) | 160.5 (-112) | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:26 PM | — | — | — |
| 04/03 | 01:55:12 PM | 160.5 (-108) | 160.5 (-112) | — |
The spread has held firm at Auburn -5.5 since the line was first posted, with the juice shifting slightly against the Tigers from -108 to -112 in the most recent interval — a small but notable signal that books are shading action toward Auburn and adjusting the price accordingly without moving the number itself. On the total, the more meaningful movement is the drop from 160.5 down to 159.5 overnight, which suggests the under is attracting enough attention to pull the number down a full point. That one-point drop matters in a game that could easily land right in that range, and it reinforces the lean toward the under heading into tip.
Tulsa vs Auburn Key Matchups and Handicap
Auburn
Auburn arrives at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with something to prove and, for the first time in this NIT run, the look of a team that has genuinely locked in. The Tigers' path through this bracket was not always pretty — a slow start against South Alabama and a habit of slow finishes against Seattle and Nevada left them failing to cover the spread each time and doing little to inspire confidence. That pattern was so persistent it produced a 2-14 ATS mark in the sixteen games prior to the semifinals, a staggering number for a team with the talent Auburn carries. But something changed in Indianapolis. Against Illinois State in the semis at Butler, the Tigers played arguably their most complete game since an upset win at Florida in late January, jumping on the Redbirds from the opening tip, building a 51-38 halftime edge and never letting the lead shrink. The final was 88-66, and the box score was a statement: 61 percent shooting from the floor, 12-of-21 from three-point range and 18 forced turnovers.
The individual performances in that game are what matter most heading into this final. Keyshawn Hall, the vagabond top scorer who averages 19.5 points per game, delivered 24 points and looked every bit the best offensive player remaining in this field. Kevin Overton, the ex-Texas Tech wing, hit all five of his three-point attempts and added a different dimension to an attack that can already beat you multiple ways. If Auburn is actually willing to play 40 serious minutes the way it did in the semis, and if Gainbridge Fieldhouse's rims are as friendly as Butler's were, the Tigers have the offensive ceiling to win this going away. The question that has dogged this team all season — whether that gear is available on demand or only when everything breaks right — is the central uncertainty of the handicap.
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Tulsa
Tulsa's path to this final is a different kind of story. The Golden Hurricane did not blow anyone out — they ground out three consecutive down-to-the-wire wins to reach Indianapolis, and that kind of experience in close games is either a major asset or a warning sign depending on how you read it. Against New Mexico in the semis, head coach Eric Konkol got a balanced effort with five players scoring in double figures, though none higher than forward David Green's 13 points, and it was enough to hold off the Lobos. The reappearance of Green — the team's top scorer at 15.7 points per game — after he missed the first two rounds of the NIT has been the most significant roster development for Tulsa in this tournament, and having him back at full health for a championship game is a meaningful boost.
What Konkol built this season through the transfer portal is genuinely impressive. Green came via Rhode Island. Guard Tylen Riley, a 14.8-point-per-game contributor, came from Cal Baptist. Bombs-away shooters Miles Barnstable and Ade Popoola — both above 40 percent from three — were also portal additions, and together they form the backbone of an offense that averages 85.6 points per game. The concern is that Tulsa has not been shooting anywhere near that level inside the NIT, connecting on only 42 percent from the floor across the tournament and just 40.9 percent over the past five games dating back to the AAC Tournament. Against a power-conference opponent whose defense was forged in the fire of SEC play, that shooting dip becomes a much bigger problem. Tulsa is also 0-1 against power conference competition this season, dropping a close game to K-State in November — and while that is a small sample, it is the only real data point available for how this group handles a step up in class.
Betting Trends — TUL and AUB
- Auburn was 2-14 ATS in the sixteen games prior to the NIT semifinals but covered the spread convincingly against Illinois State with an 88-66 win.
- Tulsa advanced to the final with three consecutive close wins, none of which were decided by more than a handful of possessions.
- The Tigers shot 61 percent from the floor and went 12-of-21 from three in the semifinal — their most efficient offensive output in months.
- TUL has shot just 42 percent from the floor across the NIT and 40.9 percent over its last five games combined.
- Auburn failed to cover the spread in its first three NIT games, losing outright to the number against South Alabama, Seattle and Nevada.
- Tulsa's offense averages 85.6 points per game on the season but has not approached that number consistently during this tournament run.
- The total dropped from 160.5 to 159.5 overnight, indicating meaningful under action despite no public percentage data being available.
- AUB is the only team remaining in this field with a recent win over a power conference program this season, having beaten Florida on the road in January.
Key Injuries and Notes — TUL and AUB
There are no publicly reported significant injuries for either Tulsa or Auburn on the pregame listings entering this NIT Championship. The most relevant recent roster note for TUL is the return of David Green, who missed the first two rounds of the tournament before coming back for the semifinal against New Mexico. Green's health is no longer a concern entering Sunday's final, and having their leading scorer available through a full game gives Tulsa the best chance to put together the offensive performance this matchup will likely demand. For AUB, the rotation that produced the dominant semifinal win over Illinois State appears intact, with Keyshawn Hall and Kevin Overton both fully available. Bettors should check for any last-minute updates through Sunday afternoon, but both teams are expected to be at or near full strength for tip-off.
Tulsa vs Auburn ATS and Total Picks
- ATS Pick: Auburn -5.5 — The Tigers finally showed what they are capable of in the semifinal and bring a notably higher level of competition experience from the SEC gauntlet compared to what Tulsa has faced. With Keyshawn Hall locked in and an offense capable of 61 percent shooting when it is fully engaged, Auburn has the firepower to cover this number against a Golden Hurricane team that has been shooting under 43 percent for the past five games.
- Total Pick: Under 159.5 — The total dropped a full point overnight, Tulsa's shooting efficiency has been declining, and championship settings almost always tighten defensively in the second half. Auburn's SEC-tested defense can turn this into a grind, and 159.5 feels like a number that leaves little room for error if either offense has a cold stretch.
Final Score Prediction
Auburn's offense has found its footing at exactly the right moment, and the Tigers' baptism by fire in the SEC should pay dividends against a Tulsa team whose schedule did not prepare it for this level of defensive intensity. Hall and Overton give AUB enough shot-making to stay ahead of any Golden Hurricane run, and Tulsa's recent shooting slump makes it hard to project the offensive explosion needed to stay within the number. Expect Auburn to control the game for long stretches while Tulsa stays competitive but never quite closes the gap.
Predicted Final Score: Auburn 82, Tulsa 74
How to Bet Tulsa vs. Auburn
With this NIT Championship tipping off Sunday evening in Indianapolis, there is still time to shop the best number and get positioned before the line potentially moves further. If you are new to legal sports betting or prefer a lower-stakes entry point, social sportsbooks have expanded their college basketball markets significantly in 2025 and offer a risk-free way to engage with a game of this profile without a traditional real-money deposit requirement in most states.
For those using a standard sportsbook, the bet365 bonus code gives new users a bet credit offer that can be applied directly to the Auburn spread or the under total. The total has already moved from 160.5 to 159.5, so acting sooner rather than later is worth considering if you are on the under — another point of movement before tip would meaningfully reduce the value of that number.
If you prefer a sweepstakes or social-style platform for Sunday's action, the fliff promo code unlocks a new-user bonus that can be put toward NIT Championship markets. Fliff has been active on college basketball throughout the postseason and this final should be well-covered. Whichever platform you use, the priority is locking in Auburn -5.5 and the under 159.5 before the line settles ahead of a Sunday evening tip in Indianapolis.
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