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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball team showed Wednesday night that they belong in the big dance by defeating SMU, 89-79, to win their First Four game and enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed.
The RedHawks received help from their fans during the game. Some members of the student section that traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for the game wore swim trunks and 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 in the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami had home field advantage despite not playing in its own gym. The RedHawks only had to travel about 25 miles to Dayton for the game.
Eian Elmer contributed 23 points as the RedHawks headed to their first tournament victory in 27 years. Elmer scored six three-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 to leave no doubt about who was the more attacking team,” Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele said. “I thought that was very evident from the jump to the end of the game.”
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Miami (Ohio) head coach Travis Steele, center, is interviewed after 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 eliminated early from the Mid-American Conference postseason tournament, putting them on the bubble to enter the field of 68. They were selected as a team that played in the First Four games.
Despite the back-and-forth between experts and critics, Miami was able to put aside all the noise and stay focused to win the game. It is Miami’s first tournament victory in 27 years.
“Honestly, we’re not really focused on proving if we belong,” Elmer said. “Everyone in the locker room thinks so. I just think, if anything, we’re going to go out there, 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 searching for its first tournament win since 1988.
SMU center Jaden Toombs (10) reacts after a First Four college basketball game against Miami (Ohio) in the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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Miami will now play Tennessee in the 64-game field on Friday.
