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Miami RedHawks' Historic Win: First Tournament Victory in 27 Years!

3/19/2026

33 3 Full Breakdown

History

RedHawks' Historic Victory

Miami University (Ohio) RedHawks defeated Southern Methodist University (SMU) 89-79 in the First Four, their first tournament win in 27 years.
Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points, Brant Byers contributing 19 and Luke Skaljac 17.
Miami finished 31-0 and trailed 49-48 to SMU before a 13-0 run.
The game was in Dayton, Ohio, and Miami will face No. 6 seed Tennessee (University of Tennessee) in the Midwest on Friday.

Summary

SMU's Tournament Return

Miami University (Ohio) will face Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the NCAA Tournament First Four on March 18, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
SMU is favored by 7.5 points despite a challenging end to its regular season.
Miami University (Ohio) is the MAC champion.
The winner will advance to play No. 6 seed Tennessee on March 20.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, enhancing its popularity and competitiveness. In 1994, Miami University (Ohio) secured its first tournament win in 27 years, reflecting a significant turnaround. This victory echoes the struggles of teams like Southern Methodist University (SMU), which last participated in 2017, underscoring the evolving dynamics of college basketball and the potential for underdog success.

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RedHawks' Historic Victory

Miami University (Ohio) RedHawks defeated Southern Methodist University (SMU) 89-79 in the First Four, their first tournament win in 27 years.
Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points, Brant Byers contributing 19 and Luke Skaljac 17.
Miami finished 31-0 and trailed 49-48 to SMU before a 13-0 run.
The game was in Dayton, Ohio, and Miami will face No. 6 seed Tennessee (University of Tennessee) in the Midwest on Friday.

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