Wichita State vs Tulsa Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NIT Quarterfinal Game

Rohit Ponnaiya - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Rohit Ponnaiya • Betting Analyst 8+ years betting experience
Updated: Mar 24, 2026 , 12:29 PM ET • 4 min read

Ponnaiya's prediction: Although Wichita State prevailed when these American Conference foes met 10 days ago, Tulsa will get off to a better start in tonight’s NIT matchup.

NCAAB

Match starts: 5 hrs
WICH
64 %
TLSA
36 %
EXPERT PICK - SPREAD
Tulsa -2.0 (-115) Tulsa -2.0 (-115)
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Tulsa Golden Hurricane college basketball Tylen Riley
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Tylen Riley elevates for a layup.

A pair of conference rivals face off in the NIT quarterfinal on Tuesday as the Tulsa Golden Hurricane host the Wichita State Shockers.

The Shockers knocked the Hurricane out of the American Conference Tournament, but my Wichita State vs. Tulsa predictions are backing the home side in a revenge spot tonight.

Here are my best free college basketball picks for this NIT clash on March 24.

Wichita State vs Tulsa prediction

Who will win Wichita State vs Tulsa?

Tulsa: The analytics give the slight edge to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, who shoot significantly better than the Wichita State Shockers while checking in 14 spots ahead of them at KenPom and Bart Torvik.

With home-court advantage and the revenge angle baked into the mix, I like the Golden Hurricane to prevail.

Wichita State vs Tulsa best bet: Tulsa 1H -2 (-115)

These teams split the regular-season series before Wichita State prevailed 81-68 in the conference tournament semifinal.

Tulsa was exhausted after a triple-overtime victory the previous night, and leading scorer David Green injured his wrist after 12 minutes. Green hasn’t played since and is questionable tonight, but Tulsa has since adjusted, with Romad Dean impressing as a starter.

Moving Dean into the lineup has thinned the bench, so I’m reluctant to lay the full-game spread. However, Tulsa is 15-2 at home and should get off to a fast start, covering the early number in the process.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Tulsa ranks 23rd in the country in eFG% (56%) and 20th in FT% (77.8%), while Wichita State is 253rd in eFG% (49.7%) and 320th in FT% (68.2%). 

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Wichita State vs Tulsa same-game parlay

Ade Popoola has dropped at least 14 points in seven of his last nine games.

Popoola is fourth on the team in scoring, but the injury to Green has moved him up the pecking order. He’ll be fed the ball by point guard Tylen Riley, who has recorded 5+ assists in eight of his last nine contests.

Wichita State vs Tulsa SGP

  • Tulsa 1H -2
  • Ade Popoola Over 12.5 points
  • Tylen Riley Over 4.5 assists

Our beyond the arc SGP: Two-way Tylen

Riley has also swiped at least two steals in five of his previous seven games — including the previous clash with the Shockers.

If he's able to disrupt Wichita State's ball handlers with pressure and jump passing lanes, there's an even better chance that Tulsa wins.

Wichita State vs Tulsa SGP

  • Tylen Riley Over 4.5 assists
  • Tylen Riley Over 1.5 steals
  • Ade Popoola Over 12.5 points
  • Tulsa 1H moneyline
  • Tulsa moneyline

Wichita State vs Tulsa odds

  • Spread: Wichita State +3.5 (-110) | Tulsa -3.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Wichita State +150 | Tulsa -180
  • Over/Under: Over 152.5 (-110) | Under 152.5 (-110)

Wichita State vs Tulsa betting trend to know

The Golden Hurricane have eclipsed their team total in 16 of their last 25 games (+5.45 Units / 19% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Wichita State vs. Tulsa.

How to watch Wichita State vs Tulsa

Location Reynolds Center, Tulsa, OK
Date Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off 7:00 p.m. ET
TV ESPN2

Wichita State vs Tulsa key injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Rohit Ponnaiya
Betting Analyst

With a background playing soccer, rugby, and boxing, combined with a journalism degree, it's little surprise that Rohit gravitated towards the world of sports betting. He specializes in betting on UFC and college basketball, two sports where the eyeball test can tell you a lot more about matchups than analytics. Rohit has years of experience handicapping NFL and NBA games as well as niche betting markets such as politics. He's also the resident CFL expert and formerly hosted "The Chez and Ro Show" with former CFL star Davis Sanchez.

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