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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball team showed Wednesday night that they belong in the big dance by beating SMU, 89-79, to win their first four-way game and enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed.
The RedHawks received help from their fans during the game. Some members of the student section who traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for the game wore swimsuits and ball caps. At one point during the second half, they managed to distract an SMU player at the foul line.
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Miami (Ohio) guard Eian Elmer (0) dunks during the second half of a First Four college basketball game against SMU during the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami had a home-court advantage even though they weren’t playing in their own gym. The RedHawks only had to travel about 25 miles to Dayton for the game.
Eian Elmer contributed 23 points on the RedHawks’ path to their first tournament victory in 27 years. Elmer made six 3-pointers. The team also received 19 points from Brant Byers and 17 points from Luke Skalijac.
“The message I gave our guys before the game was that they had to leave no doubt about who was the more offensive team,” Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele said. “I thought it was very obvious from the jump ball until the end of the match.”
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Miami (Ohio) head coach Travis Steele, center, is interviewed following a First Four college basketball game against SMU in the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami finished the regular season 31–0, but was ousted early from the Mid-American Conference playoff tournament, putting them on the bubble to enter the field of 68. They were selected as a team that played the first four games.
Despite the back and forth between pundits and critics, Miami managed to put aside all the noise and stay focused to win the game. It was Miami’s first tournament victory in 27 years.
“Honestly, we’re not really out to prove if we belong,” Elmer said. “Everybody in the locker room thinks we’re doing it. I just think we’re just going to go out there and play our best and have fun.”
SMU’s Jaden Toombs led SMU with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. added 18. SMU is still looking for its first tournament victory since 1988.
SMU center Jaden Toombs (10) reacts following a First Four college basketball game against Miami (Ohio) during the NCAA tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Miami will now face Tennessee in the 64-game field on Friday.
