Auburn, Wake Forest, and Tulsa got top NIT seeds; tournament starts March 17, ends April 5 in Indianapolis.

Auburn, New Mexico, Wake Forest, and Tulsa are the top seeds in the 2026 NIT, with Auburn—one of the top teams left out of the NCAA Tournament—accepting its bid and hosting the first two rounds. Several schools, including Oklahoma, San Diego State, and Indiana, declined invitations. The tournament kicks off March 17, with early rounds and quarterfinals hosted by higher seeds. The semifinals and the championship are set for Indianapolis on April 2 and 5. Former champions like Dayton, Wichita State, and UC Irvine are also in the field.