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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball team showed they belong in the big dance Wednesday night as they defeated SMU, 89-79, to win their First Four game and enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed.
The RedHawks got some help from their fans during the game. Some of the student section that traveled to Dayton, Ohio, to play wore swim trunks and caps. At one point in the second half, they distracted 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 court advantage even though they weren’t playing in their own gym. The RedHawks only had to travel about 25 miles to Dayton to play.
Eian Elmer contributed 23 points on the RedHawks’ way to their first tournament win in 27 years. Elmer made six 3-pointers. The team also got 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 who the most offensive team was,” Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele said. “I thought it was very clear from the bounce ball all the way 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 ousted early from the Mid-American Conference postseason tournament, putting them on the bubble to enter the field at 68. They were picked as a team that played in the first four games.
Despite the back and forth among pundits and critics, Miami was able to put away all the noise and stay focused to win the game. It is Miami’s first tournament win in 27 years.
“We’re not really focused on proving if we belong, honestly,” Elmer said. “Everybody in the locker room thinks we do. I just think if anything, we just go out there, play our hardest 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 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 field of 64 games on Friday.
