2026 NIT Tournament Roundup: Higher Seeds Dominate

This past Saturday, the second round of the 2026 NIT (National Invitation Tournament) showcased a clear trend: the higher-seeded teams successfully asserted their dominance. This development is crucial as it sets the stage for the upcoming quarterfinals.

Round Highlights

No. 2 seed Dayton made a strong statement by defeating UNC Wilmington with a decisive score of 80-61. Led by the impressive performance of guard De’Shayne Montgomery, who scored 20 points, Dayton is now poised to face the winner of the matchup between No. 1 seed Wake Forest and No. 4 seed Illinois State.

Meanwhile, in the Auburn Region, No. 2 seed Nevada also advanced, overcoming Liberty with a final score of 73-63, thanks to Elijah Price’s 15 points. This victory further solidifies Nevada’s competitiveness in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

As we anticipate six more games scheduled for Sunday, the excitement continues to build. Notably, No. 1 seed Auburn will face off against No. 4 seed Seattle U. The Tigers, having earned the No. 1 overall seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament, are keen on making a strong run in Steven Pearl’s inaugural season as head coach.

Power Conference Landscape

It’s worth noting that only four power conference teams are competing in this year’s NIT: Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State. Several prominent programs, including Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont, and San Diego State, chose to decline invitations to the NIT following their exclusion from the NCAA Tournament. This decision underscores the competitive nature of college basketball and the high stakes associated with postseason play.

Key Dates for the NIT

• First Round: March 17-18
• Second Round: March 21-22
• Quarterfinals: March 24-25
• Semifinals: April 2 (Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)
• Championship: April 5 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)

First Round Results

Auburn Region

First Round Results:

• No. 1 Auburn 78, South Alabama 67
• No. 2 Nevada 89, Murray State 75
• Liberty 77, No. 3 George Mason 71
• No. 4 Seattle U 67, St. Thomas (MN) 52

Albuquerque Region

First Round Results:

• No. 1 New Mexico 107, Sam Houston 83
• No. 2 Cal 91, UIC 73
• No. 3 Colorado State vs. Saint Joseph’s
• George Washington 79, No. 4 Utah Valley 78

Winston-Salem Region

First Round Results:

• No. 1 Wake Forest 82, Navy 72
• No. 2 Dayton 80, Bradley 66
• UNCW 68, No. 3 Yale 67
• No. 4 Illinois State vs. Kent State

Tulsa Region

First Round Results:

• No. 1 Tulsa 89, Stephen F. Austin 84 (OT)
• No. 2 Oklahoma State 84, Davidson 80
• No. 3 Wichita State 74, Wyoming 70
• UNLV 75, No. 4 UC Irvine 72

As we gear up for the quarterfinals, the excitement of the NIT continues to unfold. For more details, you can read the original news at the source: CBS Sports.