Auburn to host South Alabama in first round of NIT

Selection Sunday did not bring good news to Auburn basketball fans but the Tigers are not finished with the 2025-26 season just yet.

Steven Pearl’s squad will still be playing for a championship this month as it earned the No. 1 overall seed in this year’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT).

And it will be another in-state team coming to The Plains as Auburn is set to host South Alabama in the first round. Here’s what you need to know:

• Who: South Alabama Jaguars at Auburn Tigers
• When: 9PM | Tuesday, March 17
• Where: Neville Arena | Auburn, AL
• Watch: ESPN2

Keep reading to see the full NIT bracket + learn more about the all-Alabama first round matchup.

2026 NIT

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This is Auburn’s first trip to the NIT since 2009 when the program went to the quarterfinals. South Alabama will make its first NIT appearance since 2007, searching for its first win in the tournament since 1984.

Auburn is 8-4 against South Alabama and has won five straight in the series.

The winner between the Tigers and Jaguars will advance to the second round to take on the winner Seattle-St. Thomas (MN). If Auburn wins, it will host the second round as well.

Here’s the complete schedule for the tournament:

• First round: March 17-18
• Second round: March 21-22
• Quarterfinals: March 24-25
• Semifinals: April 2
• Championship: April 4

The semifinals and championship game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indiana.

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