The Nevada Wolf Pack take on the Auburn Tigers in the NIT quarterfinals from Auburn, Alabama. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Auburn is favored by -8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -430. The total is set at 152.5 points.
Here’s my Nevada vs. Auburn predictions and college basketball picks for March 25, 2026.
Nevada vs Auburn Prediction
My Pick: Nevada +9.5 (Play to +8)
My Nevada vs Auburn best bet is on the Wolf Pack against the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Nevada vs Auburn Odds, Spread
| Nevada Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -102 | 152.5 -115o / -105u | +330 |
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -120 | 152.5 -115o / -105u | -420 |
- Nevada vs Auburn spread: Auburn -8.5
- Nevada vs Auburn over/under: 152.5 points
- Nevada vs Auburn moneyline: Nevada +330, Auburn -420
Nevada vs Auburn NIT Betting Preview
Auburn rattled off a pair of home wins to start the NIT, beating South Alabama and Seattle. The glaring issues for the Tigers remain, though. They can’t defend a soul, and those two scored over 1.50 points per possession against them.
Postseason play hasn’t brought the best out of scuffling sophomore Tahaad Pettiford. He scored 11 and nine points and is 1-for-13 from deep in the two games. He has real talent, but he's shooting 38% from the field and 29% from 3.
The other go-to scorer for Auburn — Keyshawn Hall — was terrible in the Seattle win. He can run hot and go ice cold from game-to-game, and he's a brutal defender.
Kevin Overton has given Auburn a nice lift, scoring 21 and 23 points in the two NIT games.
As with most teams in the NIT, Auburn is short-handed. The Tigers got a shocking opt-out from center KeShawn Murphy. Without Murphy, Filip Jovic and Sebastian Williams-Adams are splitting the center minutes. Both are smaller and not natural fives, as both stand 6-foot-8.
Auburn will probably score just fine, but it can't defend anybody. The Tigers rank 120th in defensive efficiency, and teams shoot 37% from 3 against them.
Expect a steady diet of one-on-one iso play on the offensive end. They rank 307th in assist rate, and Pettiford and Hall are more iso scorers.
Meanwhile, Nevada is off to a nice start in the NIT, beating Liberty and Murray State by double-digits. I wouldn't sleep on those wins — both are top-100 level mid-major teams and weren't easy games for the Wolf Pack.
Corey Camper Jr. is in full takeover mode for the Pack. He's taken on more of a playmaking role in the NIT, and it's given them more offensive power.
Camper had a triple-double in the Liberty game and had 17 points with five dimes in the win over Murray. With his 6-foot-5, athletic frame, he can be an issue for Auburn.
Shooting will play a key role in this one for Steve Alford's bunch. The Wolf Pack attempt 3s just 32% of the time, but they hit 36% of them. Camper, Vaughn Weems and Tayshawn Comer are the main perimeter shooters for Nevada.
Another key for Nevada will be rebounding. It holds teams to a 26% offensive rebound rate, and Auburn is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation. It's a bit worse without Murphy, but it's still a thing Nevada has to cover.
Nevada is also terrific at getting to the foul line, ranking fifth in free-throw rate. That starts with physical big man Elijah Price, who boasts the second-best free-throw rate in the country. He should thrive against a short-handed Auburn interior.
So, ultimately, I'm taking the points with the Pack. The motivation factor matters in the NIT, and I don't know how motivated Auburn is. It hasn't affected the Tigers yet, but a team that doesn't defend, is down a starter and might not be as pumped up, is a recipe for not covering 9.5
My Pick: Nevada +9.5 (Play to +8)
