NIT Quarterfinals: Wichita State vs Tulsa Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 24)
- The Shockers blew past Oklahoma State in the second round.
- The Golden Hurricane took down UNLV in the Round of 16.
- This marks the 148th all-time matchup between the two squads.
The 2026 NIT is set for an incredible set of games in the quarterfinals, seeing the Wichita State Shockers take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The hosts come out as the slight favorite, presenting many challenges for the visiting Shockers squad.
How to Watch
- When: Tuesday, March 24, 7 pm ET
- Where: Reynolds Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- How to Watch: ESPN2
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State | -109 | +4 | O154 |
| Tulsa | -111 | -4 | U154 |
Game Preview
The Shockers (24-11) are making a great run in the NIT, beating down Wyoming in the first round and Oklahoma State in the second round. In the latter, they made 12 3-pointers, the most in school history by a WSU team in an NIT game. Eight of those came from Kenyon Giles, tied for 2nd most in a single game in Wichita State history. Giles added his 18th 20-point game behind a game-high 28 points on 8-of-16 three-pointers. His eight triples tied a career high. Dillon Battie recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Golden Hurricane (28-7) have so much winning rhythm in the tournament, taking down Stephen F. Austin in the first round and UNLV in the Round of 16. Ade Popoola scored 16 points, converting four 3-pointers. Romad Dean posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Tylen Riley contributed six assists while adding nine points. Miles Barnstable matched Popoola’s scoring with 16 points, including three 3-pointers.
Wichita State vs Tulsa Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 147 meetings in their history, and the result is 80-67 for the Shockers. The last matchup took place on March 14 this year when Wichita State won 81-68 in the conference tournament.
Wichita State vs Tulsa Predictions
The winner of this quarterfinal matchup will take on the victor between Saint Joseph’s and New Mexico in the semifinals. As American squads, Wichita State and Tulsa have already faced each other three times as Wichita State leads 2-1 this season. The Shockers have incredible momentum as Kenyon Giles has been remarkable on the offensive side of the ball, which will cause serious trouble towards Tulsa’s defense. Our betting pick here is the Shockers to cover a 4-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â Wichita State Shockers +4
