The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks defeated the SMU Mustangs 89-79 in a First Four game of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.[1][2] The victory advances Miami (Ohio), the No. 11 seed, into the round of 64.
Eian Elmer scored 23 points for Miami (Ohio), including six 3-pointers. Brant Byers added 19 points and Luke Skalijac contributed 17.[1][2]
Jaden Toombs led SMU with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 18 points.[1]
| Team | Player | Points | Rebounds | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (Ohio) | Eian Elmer | 23 | - | 6 |
| Miami (Ohio) | Brant Byers | 19 | - | - |
| Miami (Ohio) | Luke Skalijac | 17 | - | - |
| SMU | Jaden Toombs | 20 | 11 | - |
| SMU | Jaron Pierre Jr. | 18 | - | - |
Miami (Ohio) head 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]
Eian Elmer added: "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]
The win marks Miami (Ohio)'s first NCAA tournament victory since 1999, when they defeated Tennessee 44-40 in the first round.[3][4] It is SMU's first tournament loss since their last win in 1988.[4][5]
A group of Miami (Ohio) students who traveled from Oxford, Ohio—about 35 miles away—supported the team wearing swim trunks and caps. They distracted an SMU player at the free-throw line in the second half.[1]
Miami (Ohio), Mid-American Conference members coached by Travis Steele since 2024, entered as a bubble team after a 31-0 regular season and early MAC tournament exit.[1][6] They face Tennessee in the round of 64 on March 20, 2026.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks defeat SMU in NCAA First Four
March 19, 2026
https://www.foxnews.com/sports - Associated Press
NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage
March 18, 2026
https://apnews.com/hub/ncaab - Wikipedia
Miami RedHawks men's basketball
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_RedHawks_men%27s_basketball - NCAA.com
Division I men's basketball tournament history
Accessed October 2024
https://www.ncaa.com/history/basketball-men/d1 - Wikipedia
SMU Mustangs men's basketball
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMU_Mustangs_men%27s_basketball - Miami University Athletics
Men's basketball coaches - Travis Steele
Accessed October 2024
https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/travis-steele/1451