New Mexico vs. Tulsa Picks and Predictions: NIT Semifinals
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Apr 02, 2026, 11:40 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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We've got some Final Four action tonight in Indianapolis, but no, it's not quite the NCAA Tournament. We've got to wait until Saturday for that action, but the NIT still has their semifinal matchups in Indy at Hinkle Fieldhouse. First up, we have the Mountain West taking on the American Athletic Conference as the New Mexico Lobos find themselves as slight favorites against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Who will come out on top and advance to the NIT Championship on Sunday? Find out with our expert CBB picks below.
Check out our March Madness Betting Guide to get in on all the action this month!
Best Bet: New Mexico -3 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. New Mexico Lobos NCAA Basketball Insights
Details Locked In. 🔒
🆚 | New Mexico
⏰ | 6 PM CT
📺 | ESPN#ReignCane pic.twitter.com/jm1ZyubdvL— Tulsa Basketball (@TulsaMBB) March 26, 2026
These teams have combined for a 55-17 record this year, but both are hoping to hand their opponent their final loss of the season. Both lost in their conference tournament semifinals, but have won three straight in this competition to reach the final four. However, all three of each team's games were in the comfort of their own gym. Now they must go try and win away from home.
The Lobos are ranked 10 spots higher overall according to Bart Torvik, and I see them flexing their muscle tonight. But let's look at the betting odds to see how the market views this game. Do they think the same way as us? Could it be a dominating Lobo victory tonight?
Matchup Information – Tulsa vs. New Mexico – April 2
- Venue & Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
- Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
- Tip Off: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Tulsa vs. New Mexico Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of April 2, 2026 at 11:16 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Tulsa +3 (-105)
- New Mexico -3 (-115)
Moneyline
- Tulsa +136
- New Mexico -165
Total
- Over 162 (-115)
- Under 162 (-105)
Tulsa vs. New Mexico NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Jake Hall averages 16.3 points as a freshman for the Lobos
Tulsa vs. New Mexico Prediction: New Mexico Wins and Covers, Over 162
Best Bet: New Mexico -3 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
New Mexico is a top 60 team in terms of adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, and are also top 60 in turnover rate on both sides of the ball as well. They drop slightly in eFG%, but are still top 80 in the country on both offense and defense. Without a doubt, New Mexico will try to push the pace and speed things up, as they rank top 50 in the country in terms of tempo.
The Golden Hurricane shoot a ton of threes, and they do so well. I will give them their flowers. This team is top 40 in the country in 3P Rate while ranking top five in 3P%, shooting at nearly a 39% clip from downtown as a team. However, they face a VERY good perimeter defense.
The Lobos are top 10 in opponent 3P%, holding their foes to just 30% from deep. New Mexico has the better defense overall, and I think they are slightly better equipped to put points up in a shootout, which is what this game will turn in to. Expect plenty of chances for New Mexico to cover this number, win the game, and advance to the NIT Championship on Sunday.
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Check Out the Other March Madness Content from Betting News
For college basketball bettors, March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Betting News, we have you covered for this festively fun season with expert picks throughout the tournament from Nate Hornung and Eddie Griffin, consensus picks for every March Madness game from the First Four to the Final Four, a rundown of the best March Madness betting sites, and more.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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