- Matchup: South Alabama Jaguars vs Auburn Tigers
- Date of Event: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- Venue: Neville Arena, Auburn, AL
- Broadcast: ESPN2
- Odds/Spread: South Alabama (+17)
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The Auburn Tigers (17-16) are set to face off against the South Alabama Jaguars (21-11) at Neville Arena on Tuesday in the opening round of the NIT. The Auburn Tigers are favored by 17 points according to Vegas odds, with a total set at 152 points.
The South Alabama Jaguars last faced Georgia Southern, suffering a 94-85 defeat. They ended the game with a field goal percentage of 47.5% (29 of 61) and made 10 of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc. At the charity stripe, the Jaguars converted 17 of their 28 opportunities, resulting in a free throw percentage of 60.7%. On the boards, they grabbed 29 rebounds, including 12 offensive ones, and tallied 15 assists while forcing 12 turnovers and collecting 9 steals. Defensively, South Alabama allowed a shooting percentage of 55.8% by Georgia Southern, who managed 22 assists and 6 steals. Georgia Southern also secured 28 rebounds (6 offensive, 22 defensive) but did not record any blocks, while converting 76.5% of their free throws with 13 of 17 attempts. In terms of fouls, the Jaguars committed 15, whereas Georgia Southern accumulated 18.
Player Chaze Harris notably contributed with 17 points on 5 of 17 shooting. He spent 36 minutes on the floor, securing 6 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists, finishing with a field goal percentage of 29.4%.
South Alabama enters this match with a record of 21-11. The team averages 74.6 points per game (214th in Division 1) and boasts a shooting percentage of 46.6% from the field. They are shooting 34.8% from three-point range (231 of 663) and hitting 66.0% from the free throw line. As a unit, the Jaguars are collecting 35.5 rebounds per game and have registered 379 assists this season, ranking 318th nationally in assists. They commit an average of 8.7 turnovers and 12.7 fouls each game.
On the defensive side, the Jaguars force an average of 12.5 turnovers per game while drawing 16.9 fouls. They hold opponents to 32.6% shooting from beyond the arc, ranking 69th in the nation for points allowed (69.8). Their defense is conceding a shooting percentage of 38.7% (745 of 1,923) and allows an average of 36.8 rebounds per game. Notably, they rank 339th in Division 1 for assists allowed, having surrendered 525 this season.
In their last outing, the Auburn Tigers faced Tennessee, resulting in a 72-62 loss. The Tigers accumulated 19 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive rebounds, totaling 32 for the game. They turned the ball over 10 times while recording 2 steals. Tennessee committed 17 fouls, resulting in 20 free throw attempts for Auburn, who converted 13 for a shooting percentage of 65.0%. Auburn made 7 of 26 three-point attempts (26.9%) and shot 35.0% overall with 21 of 60 from the field. On defense, Auburn allowed Tennessee to shoot 22 of 51, achieving a field goal percentage of 43.1%. Tennessee achieved 30.8% from beyond the arc, hitting 4 of 13 attempts, and 24 of 32 from the free throw line (75.0%). Auburn allowed Tennessee to secure a total of 37 rebounds (10 offensive).
Tahaad Pettiford was a standout for the Tigers, tallying 28 points in 37 minutes and contributing 1 assist. He shot 9 of 18 for a field goal percentage of 50.0%, along with securing 4 rebounds.
Auburn has a season record of 17-16. As an offense, the Tigers are shooting at a rate of 45.7%, ranking them 150th nationwide. They have amassed 2,730 points this year, averaging 82.7 points per game, while grabbing 36.4 rebounds per game. Their assist numbers stand at 12.7 per game (274th in the nation), with an average of 10.2 turnovers. Auburn commits 17.5 personal fouls each game and has a free throw shooting percentage of 74.4%.
The Auburn defense is ranked 317th in the nation for points allowed per game, giving up an average of 79.4. They force 11.4 turnovers per game and have permitted opponents to shoot 46.3% from the field, placing them 301st in college basketball. The Tigers allow 36.5% from three-point range (285 of 781), with opponents converting 74.7% of their free throws. They concede an average of 14.1 assists and 33.1 rebounds, ranking 244th and 99th in NCAA basketball respectively.
Who will secure victory in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Back South Alabama (+17)
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