- There is a 152.5-point total set between Wichita State and Tulsa.
- New Mexico is a 10.5-point favorite over Saint Joseph’s.
- Dayton and Illinois State have their game total set at 139.5.
- Auburn is favored by 9.5-points against Nevada.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The 2026 NIT tournament continues on Tuesday and Wednesday with the quarterfinals being played throughout both days.
The four quarterfinals matchups in the NIT bracket include Wichita State vs. Tulsa and Saint Joseph’s vs. New Mexico on Tuesday and Illinois State vs. Dayton and Nevada vs. Auburn on Wednesday.
We’re looking at four total picks on legal sports betting sites including one for each game of the quarterfinals.
Wichita State Vs. Tulsa
- Moneyline: Wichita State (+155) vs. Tulsa (-185)
- Spread: Tulsa -4.5
- Total: 152.5
This is a strong lean on the over between Wichita State and Tulsa. Each of them have gone 1-1 in hitting the over on college basketball sportsbooks in their first two NIT games. They’re also combining for a massive 163.5 ppg.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two this season with two of their three previous meetings both flying over 152.5 total points.
- Pick: Tulsa/Wichita State OVER 152.5
Saint Joseph’s Vs. New Mexico
- Moneyline: Saint Joseph’s (+455) vs. New Mexico (-625)
- Spread: New Mexico -10.5
- Total: 152.5
It could be argued that New Mexico is one of the most dominant teams in the NIT this year. They’ve won both of their tournament games by 20+ points each and covered the set spread in both of those games as well.
As for Saint Joseph’s, they’ve played it close in each of their two NIT games having been down big early on against Cal and barely hanging on against Colorado State.
There’s also a massive gap on paper between the two as New Mexico has a +8.2 ppg margin on them as well as a +10.6 average winning margin on the season.
- Pick: New Mexico -10.5
Illinois State Vs. Dayton
- Moneyline: Illinois State (+250) vs. Dayton (-310)
- Spread: Dayton -7.5
- Total: 139.5
This is shaping out to be a slow-paced, defensive minded matchup between Dayton and Illinois State which has us leaning towards the under 139.5 mark.
Both defenses are allowing just under the total at 137.8 ppg on the season. However, the real kicker for us leaning this way comes on their pace of play. Both play at a slow pace with Dayton averaging 69.9 possessions per game while Illinois State is at 69.2 per game. Both of them are seeing even less possessions though in their last three games.
- Pick: Illinois State/Dayton UNDER 139.5
Nevada Vs. Auburn
- Moneyline: Nevada (+320) vs. Auburn (-410)
- Spread: Auburn -9.5
- Total: 154.5
In the last game of the quarterfinals, it’s hard not to back Auburn to cover as an SEC team against a mid-major team like Nevada despite their 20+ win season. There is a notable gap on paper with Auburn averaging 6.6 more ppg, 0.4 more blocks, and 0.7 more steals per game than the Wolfpack.
Auburn has also looked strong at home this season averaging a +12.6 winning margin playing on their homecourt. Nevada, on the other hand, is 4-8 playing on the road this season and has lost three of their last four road games by 10+ points.
- Pick: Auburn -9.5
