Story perspectives

Auburn Beats Tulsa to Capture NIT Championship

6/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Auburn men’s basketball, coached by Steven Pearl after a 7-11 SEC record in 2025-26, won the NIT championship on April 5, 2026, defeating Tulsa in Indianapolis.
Seniors Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, each with over 1,000 points, joined transfers, overseas players and freshman Caleb Williams.
Auburn will play SEC games against Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU.
Non-conference games feature Arizona, Clemson in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and contests versus Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee.

History

Historical Context

Michigan State’s 1979 NCAA title, a 75-64 win over Larry Bird’s Indiana State and the most-watched college game ever (35.11 million viewers), sparked nationwide TV interest and tournament growth. Auburn’s April 5 2026 NIT championship, built on transfers and freshmen, aims to replicate that exposure, promising heightened SEC media coverage and revenue similar to the 1979 surge.

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Story summary

Auburn men’s basketball, coached by Steven Pearl after a 7-11 SEC record in 2025-26, won the NIT championship on April 5, 2026, defeating Tulsa in Indianapolis.
Seniors Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, each with over 1,000 points, joined transfers, overseas players and freshman Caleb Williams.
Auburn will play SEC games against Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU.
Non-conference games feature Arizona, Clemson in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and contests versus Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee.

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