Wichita State Faces Tulsa in NIT Regional Final Showdown
The long-standing rivalry between Wichita State and Tulsa dates back to 1931. This Tuesday brings an unprecedented fourth meeting between the two schools in one season.
Game details and stakes
The regional final is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Reynolds Center. ESPN2 will carry the contest. The winner advances to the NIT Final Four at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 2.
Season series so far
Tulsa won the first meeting on Feb. 1, 93-83 at Reynolds Center. Wichita State answered with an 81-77 victory at Koch Arena on Feb. 14. The semifinal in the American Conference tournament came next. The Shockers pulled away for an 81-68 win in Birmingham.
What makes this matchup unique
Neither team has faced the other four times in a modern season with national-television exposure. The familiarity removes many scouting surprises. Execution, composure and toughness will decide the result.
Recent form and turnaround
Wichita State arrived after a strong road win at Oklahoma State on Sunday in Stillwater. Kenyon Giles led the way and hit multiple three-pointers in that game. Tulsa reached Tuesday’s game by winning at home twice in the NIT. The Golden Hurricane needed overtime to get past Stephen F. Austin and then beat UNLV on Sunday.
Coaches and venue notes
Wichita State coach Paul Mills has yet to record a win at the Reynolds Center, sitting 0-3 there. Tulsa enjoys a clear home-court edge in the series. Both teams played Sunday and face a quick turnaround of less than 48 hours.
Key player status
Tulsa’s leading scorer, David Green, averaged 16.1 points this season. He injured a shoulder in the conference tournament and missed the second half of that loss. Green also missed Tulsa’s first two NIT games. His availability for Tuesday remains uncertain. That makes injury news a major storyline for the regional final.
Matchup implications
Wichita State has beaten Tulsa twice in the recent stretch. But both teams split regular-season home games. Tulsa scored 93 points in its Feb. 1 win, showing its offensive potential. Wichita State tightened defensively in later meetings and produced a complete effort in Birmingham.
Historical context
While this is the first modern-era four-game season series for Wichita State and a Division I opponent, the program faced similar quirks in earlier decades. In 1925, the then-Fairmount College played Northwestern Oklahoma four times in six days. The 1935-36 season also featured multiple four-game conference series under the old Central Intercollegiate Conference.
What to watch Tuesday
- David Green’s health and availability for Tulsa.
- Which team executes under pressure with limited surprises left.
- Home-court energy at the Reynolds Center and fan support.
This matchup between Wichita State and Tulsa in the NIT regional final promises intensity. The familiarity makes every possession matter. Filmogaz.com will monitor developments and provide updates after tipoff.
