After a disappointing final stretch of the season, in which it lost nine of its last 12 games, Auburn basketball was left out of the Big Dance.
But its season will continue after accepting a bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), where it will host in-state foe South Alabama in the first round on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Auburn is 8-4 against South Alabama and has won five straight in the series. The Jags are 21-11 overall and finished 11-7 in the Sun Belt.
Auburn was the second team left out of the NCAA Tournament field but boasts the No. 1 overall seed in the NIT bracket. With a win on Tuesday, Auburn would play the winner of Seattle U and ST. Thomas (MN) in Round 2, which will also be held at Neville Arena.
After reaching the NCAA Tournament four consecutive years, this season marks Auburn’s seventh appearance in the NIT and the first since 2009, when they advanced to the third round – the furthest the Tigers have ever gone in the NIT. Auburn is 4-6 overall in this tournament.
The final four teams advance to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the semifinals and championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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