Auburn Faces Tulsa: 3 Key Questions for NIT Championship

Emerson Raymont

Published: April 5, 2026 10:08 PM ET

Auburn basketball is poised for a significant showdown against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes for the NIT championship. The game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking a thrilling climax to their 2025-26 season.

Auburn Faces Tulsa: 3 Key Questions for NIT Championship

1. Can Auburn Boost Their Assist Numbers?

Auburn’s assist performance has historically lagged, ranking 307th in the nation with an average of 13.0 assists per game this season. However, the Tigers displayed impressive teamwork in their semifinal game against Illinois State, tallying 20 assists in an 88-66 victory. The team has improved its average to 16.0 assists throughout the NIT tournament.

Tahaad Pettiford leads Auburn with a total of 18 assists during the tournament.
His ability to share the ball reflects the strong chemistry among the players.

2. Will Keyshawn Hall Shine in His Final Collegiate Game?

Keyshawn Hall is the leading scorer for Auburn and has not yet considered that this championship could be his last game at the collegiate level. He has focused on enjoying the game and his teammates. Hall scored 24 points in the semifinal and is performing at nearly 50% shooting during the postseason.

Throughout the regular season, Hall averaged 19.5 points per game.
His performance earned him a spot on the All-SEC third team.

3. What Will Coach Steven Pearl Wear?

Coach Steven Pearl is known for his unique wardrobe choices during games. His recent combination of a blazer and raincoat garnered attention on social media. Pearl plans to continue this trend and has several options in mind for the championship game.

He mentions that his wardrobe choices often involve input from his wife.
His attire for the title game will add another memorable element to Auburn’s quest for their first NIT championship.

Auburn’s coaching staff, especially Pearl, is optimistic about Hall’s potential future in basketball, specifically regarding the NBA Draft. The team aims to finish their season strong and secure a prestigious championship title.