INDIANAPOLIS — Downtown Indianapolis is filled with signs declaring, “The Road Ends Here,” a nod to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four arriving this weekend. More than 70,000 fans are expected to pack Lucas Oil Stadium for college basketball’s biggest stage.
But across town, another postseason tournament is reaching its climax. The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) will crown its champion Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with semifinal matchups taking place Thursday at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Here’s a look at the semifinal games:
New Mexico (26-10) vs. Tulsa (29-7)
Path to the semifinals:
New Mexico has dominated the NIT so far, becoming the first team in 10 years to win its first three games by at least 15 points each. The Lobos entered the tournament highly motivated after falling short late in Mountain West play and have found their rhythm despite point guard Deyton Albury battling illness.
Tulsa, the top seed in its region, advanced with wins over Stephen F. Austin, UNLV, and Wichita State. Their latest victory required a late comeback after nearly squandering a large second-half lead.
Player to watch:
Tomislav Buljan has been outstanding for New Mexico, averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. He has excelled against strong frontcourt opponents and has emerged as the team’s most valuable player during the tournament.
Key matchup insight:
Tulsa relies heavily on its perimeter shooting, averaging over 10 made three-pointers per game. Led by David Green, Tylen Riley, Miles Barnstable, and Ada Popoola, the Golden Hurricane shoot efficiently and have won nine of their last 10 games. They’ve also shown resilience in close contests.
Auburn (20-16) vs. Illinois State (23-12)
Path to the semifinals:
Auburn, the top seed in its region, advanced with home wins over South Alabama, Seattle, and Nevada. Illinois State impressed with a strong run through the Wake Forest region, defeating Kent State, upsetting Wake Forest, and winning on the road at Dayton.
Player to watch:
Auburn’s strength lies in its balanced roster. Keyshawn Hall and Elijah Freeman have led the way offensively, with Freeman emerging as a versatile playmaker.
Illinois State’s depth is its biggest advantage, with no single star dominating the spotlight. Chase Walker leads the scoring, but guard Boden Skunberg has been especially dangerous from three-point range during the postseason.
Key matchup insight:
Auburn brings experience from last year’s Final Four run and a challenging SEC schedule. However, Illinois State enters with momentum and confidence, making them a dangerous opponent. If Auburn fails to build an early lead, the Redbirds could prove difficult to stop late in the game.
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