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Tulsa Golden Hurricane Eyes First NIT Championship Appearance

4/2/2026

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Summary

Tulsa's NIT Triumph

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are on the brink of their first NIT championship appearance.
They own a 29-7 record, the second-best mark in program history.
Head coach Eric Konkol called the moment significant as Tulsa reaches the NIT semifinals for the first time since 2014-15 and its first postseason since 2016.
Tulsa's starting lineup leads the American Athletic Conference with a plus-172 rating.

Summary

Lobos Face Tulsa

The 2026 NIT semifinals feature the New Mexico Lobos (26-10) and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (29-7) at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 2 at 7 PM ET.
New Mexico advanced with an 84-69 victory over Saint Joseph's.
Tulsa defeated Wichita State 83-79 to reach the semifinals.
The winner advances to the NIT Championship on April 5.
Tulsa averages 85.4 points per game and New Mexico averages 81.5.

History

Historical Context

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT), founded in 1938, has historically served as a postseason opportunity for teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament. Despite its "loser's tournament" stigma, the NIT can enhance a program's visibility. The University of Tulsa, with a 29-7 record, aims to leverage its strong performance in 2023 to boost recruitment and national recognition, reflecting a shift in college athletics dynamics.

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Tulsa's NIT Triumph

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are on the brink of their first NIT championship appearance.
They own a 29-7 record, the second-best mark in program history.
Head coach Eric Konkol called the moment significant as Tulsa reaches the NIT semifinals for the first time since 2014-15 and its first postseason since 2016.
Tulsa's starting lineup leads the American Athletic Conference with a plus-172 rating.

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