🏀 NIT Predictions 2026: Full Schedule, Odds, and Betting Previews
Our NIT predictions highlight the biggest games in this year's NIT, with Auburn entering as the favorite.
We're down to a field of 24 in the 2026 National Invitational Tournament, and our NIT predictions breakdown everything you need to know, and we will track our picks once the tournament heats up in Round 2 and beyond.
Auburn (+310) and New Mexico (+390) remain the NIT odds favorites after the first eight teams were knocked out. Navy - at +20000 has the longest odds on the tournament winner board.
📊 NIT predictions & odds: First round matchups
Navy vs. Wake Forest
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Kent State vs. Illinois State
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: CEFCU Arena (Normal, Ill.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
George Washington vs. Utah Valley
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: UCCU Center (Orem, Utah)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Dayton vs. Bradley
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Carver Arena (Peoria, Ill.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
Sam Houston vs. New Mexico
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: The Pit (Albuquerque, N.M.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Murray State vs. Nevada
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Lawlor Events Center (Reno, Nev.)
- TV: N/A
- Streaming: ESPN+
Saint Joseph's vs. Colorado State
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET
- Location: Moby Arena (Fort Collins, Colo.)
- TV: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN+
UIC vs. California
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET
- Location: Haas Pavilion (Berkeley, Calif.)
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+
📅 2026 NIT schedule
| Round | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First round | March 17-18 | Campus sites |
| Second round | March 21-22 | Campus sites |
| Quarterfinals | March 24-25 | Campus sites |
| Semifinals | April 2 | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Championship | April 5, 8 p.m. ET | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
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