The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men's basketball team defeated SMU 89-79 on March 18, 2026, in a First Four game of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.[1][2]

The victory advanced the RedHawks, the No. 11 seed, into the round of 64, where they will face Tennessee on March 20.[1][2]

Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points, including six 3-pointers. Brant Byers scored 19 points and Luke Skalijac added 17.[1][2]

Jaden Toombs recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds for SMU. Jaron Pierre Jr. contributed 18 points.[1][2]

The win was Miami's first in the NCAA Tournament in 27 years.[1] The RedHawks finished the regular season 31-0 but were eliminated early from the Mid-American Conference postseason tournament before earning a First Four berth.[1]

Miami coach Travis Steele said: "The message I gave our guys before the game was they should leave no doubt with who the more attacking team was. I thought that was very evident from the jump ball all the way to the end of the game."[1][2]

Eian Elmer said: "We’re not really focused on proving whether we belong, honestly. Everybody in the locker room thinks we do. I just think if anything we’re just going to go out there, play our hardest and have fun."[1]

A group of Miami students traveled from Oxford, Ohio—about 25 miles away—to support the team, wearing swim trunks and caps. They distracted an SMU player at the free-throw line in the second half.[1]

The First Four games, held at University of Dayton Arena since 2011, determine the final four at-large teams and last automatic qualifiers for the 68-team field.[3]

SMU has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1988.[4]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital, "The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball team showed Wednesday night...", March 19, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/miami-ohio-redhawks-smu-ncaa-first-four
2. Associated Press, "Miami (Ohio) guard Eian Elmer dunks... First Four college basketball game", March 18, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-tournament-first-four-miami-ohio-smu-2026
3. NCAA, "NCAA First Four locations, dates and everything you need to know", March 18, 2024 (ongoing format), https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/d1/article/2024-03-18/ncaa-first-four-locations-dates-and-everything-need-know
4. Wikipedia, "SMU Mustangs men's basketball", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMU_Mustangs_men%27s_basketball