NIT Quarterfinals: Mid-Majors Dominate

0:00On March 23rd, the second round of the 2026 National Invitational Tournament wrapped up on Sunday with six exciting games. Number 1. Seeds, Auburn and New Mexico, both advanced to the quarter-finals with solid wins, but number 1 seed, Wake Forest fell short in A. Hardbreaker. They lost to number 4 seed. Illinois State 78-75, after a clutch three-pointer with just 2.7 seconds left. Illinois State now hits the face number 2. Seed Dayton, who rolled past UNC Women's in 80-61 on Saturday. Over in the Auburn region, number 2, Nevada beat Liberty 73-63, setting up a matchup with Auburn, who tops Seattle. University 91-85. Fans are buzzing about the upsets, especially Wake Forests stunning exit. This year, only four power conference teams even joined the NIT Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest and Oklahoma State, after several big programs like Seedon.

1:00Hall and San Diego State turned down Bids. Now, with Wake Forest and the others out, mid majors are dominating the bracket. Quarter-finals kickoff Tuesday with number 1 Tulsa, taking on number 3, Wichita State at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2, followed by New Mexico. Versus St. Joseph's at 9 p.m. Wednesday features Dayton against Illinois State at 7 and Auburn versus Nevada at 9. All eyes turned to these matchups, as the NIT heats up toward semi-finals at Hinklefield House next week, and the title game on April 5.