Illinois State is getting 7.5 from Auburn in the NIT semifinals after winning outright as 8.5 and 7.5-point underdogs at Wake Forest and at Dayton in the previous two rounds. The Redbirds are 39th in the country in defense, holding opponents to 67.9 points per game. They face an Auburn team, that while one of the better scoring teams in the league, have next to no defense, allowing nearly 79 points a game, 312th in the nation. The Tigers have yet to cover a game in the NIT and are 14-22 ATS this season, bottom 30 in the nation in cover percentage. That includes 2-7 in the last 9 games as a favorite of 6+ points. An outright upset is on the table.

Auburn arrives at the NIT Final Four after three less-than-dazzling wins at home, none in which the Tigers covered. The margins of victory were six, 11 and six points against lesser lights. Illinois State, by contrast, opened with a 21-point win in friendly confines, then knocked off the ACC's Wake Forest by three and NCAA Tournament-worthy Dayton by six on the road. The Redbirds' offense functions on the slow side; the team's games average 261st in possessions. A relatively slow pace makes the 7.5-point spot especially attractive, even though Auburn will strive to speed things up.

Auburn is the biggest name in the NIT and it continues to draw inflated lines. That's resulted in the Tigers, who are without 6-10 senior KeShawn Murphy, failing to cover each of their three NIT wins. Auburn is a more talented offensive team, but the Redbirds are better defensively. They just quieted a large hostile crowd in Dayton. Now they should have strong fan support at the neutral site in Indianapolis. Grab the points.