Seattle U Redhawks vs Auburn Tigers Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 22 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/22/2026, 01:35 AM ET

The Seattle U Redhawks and Auburn Tigers meet in the NIT – 2nd Round at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM ET, with the game airing on ESPN2. Auburn enters this matchup as a 13.5-point favorite, with the total set at 146.5. This contest features a Seattle U team that leans on defense and discipline against an Auburn squad that thrives on scoring and home-court energy. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert analysis on today’s action.

Seattle U Redhawks: Defense First Mentality

Seattle U enters this matchup with a 21-13 overall record and a 9-11 mark in WCC play, along with a 5-7 record on the road this season. In NIT action, the Redhawks advanced with a 67-52 win over St. Thomas-Minnesota. Looking at recent form, Seattle U has recently won over St. Thomas-Minnesota, recently lost to Pacific, recently won over San Diego, recently won over Loyola Marymount, and recently won over Pepperdine. This stretch shows a team that has found some rhythm, particularly on the defensive end.

From a statistical standpoint, Seattle U averages 71.8 points per game while allowing just 66.6, reflecting a team that prefers a slower tempo and defensive control. They shoot 44% from the field and average 32.8 rebounds and 13.4 assists per game. Defensively, they contribute 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per contest, showing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and protect the rim. Their defensive metrics give them a chance to compete, but their offensive limitations can be an issue against higher-scoring teams.

In their first-round victory, Seattle U leaned heavily on defense and free-throw efficiency. Brayden Maldonado led the team with 15 points while also contributing 5 assists, and Maleek Arington controlled the boards with 9 rebounds. The Redhawks shot just 37% from the field but forced 21 turnovers and capitalized at the free-throw line, hitting 82% of their attempts. Their ability to win despite inefficient shooting highlights their defensive strength, but facing a team like Auburn on the road presents a much tougher challenge, especially with the short turnaround.

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Auburn Tigers: Offensive Edge at Home

Auburn comes into this contest with an 18-16 overall record and a strong 12-4 mark at home, where they have been particularly effective. In NIT action, the Tigers advanced with a 78-67 win over South Alabama. Over their last five games, Auburn has recently won over South Alabama, recently lost to Tennessee, recently won over Mississippi State, recently lost to Alabama, and recently won over LSU. This pattern shows a team that has been competitive but somewhat inconsistent, though they tend to perform well at home.

Statistically, Auburn averages 82.6 points per game while allowing 79.0, indicating a more offense-driven style of play. They shoot 45% from the field and average 36.6 rebounds and 12.8 assists per game. Defensively, they contribute 7.4 steals and 4.2 blocks per contest, but their higher points allowed suggests they can be vulnerable, particularly if opponents control tempo.

In their opening-round win, Auburn showed resilience and strong second-half execution. Kevin Overton led the team with 21 points, while Elyjah Freeman dominated the boards with 10 rebounds. The Tigers struggled from the field, shooting just 39%, but made up for it with a strong rebounding advantage (42-31) and improved shooting from three-point range. Their ability to create second-chance opportunities and capitalize on offensive rebounds will be a key factor in this matchup, especially against a Seattle U team that prefers to slow the pace.

Seattle U Redhawks vs Auburn Tigers Pick

Seattle U Redhawks vs Auburn Tigers Spread Pick

Pick: Auburn -13.5

Auburn’s offensive firepower and home-court advantage create a difficult matchup for Seattle U. While the Redhawks are disciplined defensively, their offensive limitations could make it difficult to keep up, especially on the road. Auburn’s ability to push the tempo and dominate the glass should lead to scoring runs that Seattle U may struggle to match. I expect Auburn to pull away in the second half and cover the spread.

Seattle U Redhawks vs Auburn Tigers Total Pick

Pick: Under 146.5

I like the under in this matchup because Seattle U’s style of play is centered around defense and slowing the tempo. They will likely try to limit possessions and keep the game within reach, which could bring the total down. Auburn may score efficiently at times, but Seattle U’s defensive approach should help prevent this game from becoming a high-scoring shootout.

Final Score Prediction: Auburn 78, Seattle U 62

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