It’s been 27 years since Miami University last won an NCAA Tournament game. The RedHawks have a chance to end the drought just 40 miles from home at UD Arena as Miami takes on SMU in the First Four.
Miami earned an at-large bid to March Madness after a 31-1 season, becoming just the fifth team in 35 years to finish the regular season undefeated. The regular season champions of the Mid-American Conference were given a No. 11 seed and sent to Dayton as the NCAA selection committee were unimpressed with Miami’s predictive metrics. The RedHawks, led by MAC Coach of the Year Travis Steele, will have a chance to silence the critics with a win on Wednesday night.
The RedHawks first opponent in the NCAA Tournament are the Mustangs of SMU. The Mustangs enter the tournament with a 20-13 overall record, finishing 11th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Coached by Andy Enfield, who took Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 and USC to the Elite Eight, SMU is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. Boopie Miller’s 19.2 points per game leads the high-powered Mustangs offense.
Follow along as The Enquirer brings you live updates from UD Arena as Miami battles SMU to reach the round of 64.
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Eian Elmer answers SMU run | Miami 78, SMU 68, 3:16
SMU was on a 7-0 run before Eian Elmer’s fifth 3-pointer of the night pushed Miami’s lead back to double digits heading into the final media timeout of the game.
Elmer, Luke Skaljac and Brant Byers each have 17 points. Miami is 15 of 37 from 3-point range and SMU is 4 of 18.
Travis Steele takes a timeout | Miami 75, SMU 64, 5:22
It will be Miami ball following an SMU turnover underneath the basket.
RedHawks extend lead | Miami 71, SMU 57, 7:15
Both teams are in foul trouble but only Miami is hitting momentous shots. Antwone Woolfolk connected on a hook shot in the lane and Luke Skaljac just forced another SMU timeout with a deep 3-pointer to give Miami its biggest lead of the night.
RedHawks on an 8-0 run | Miami 58, SMU 50, 11:16
SMU was successful on its challenge, but Miami got back-to-back stops on the defensive end. Trey Perry secured an offensive rebound and kicked to Almar Atlason for a 3-pointer from the wing to put the RedHawks up 8 and force an SMU timeout.
Atlason is the fifth RedHawk to connect from beyond the arc.
Byers connects to put RedHawks in front | Miami 53, SMU 50, 12:51
SMU took a 49-48 lead on a dunk by Corey Washington, but Miami’s first 3-pointer of the second half came courtesy of Brant Byers to put the RedHawks in the lead. Byers now has a team-high 15 points with four treys.
There’s a timeout for a review after a challenge by SMU on a turnover by Boopie Miller underneath the basket.
SMU in foul trouble early in 2nd half | Miami 47, SMU 42, 15:52
SMU was able to close the gap early in the second half by getting the ball inside, but Miami will be shooting free throws the rest of the way after Sam Walters just fouled Brant Byers in the lane. Miami is just 1 of 6 shooting in the second half. The lone field goal was the first of the night by MAC Player of the Year Peter Suder.
SMU big man Samet Yigitoglu picked up his third foul just before the media timeout and had to take a seat. Eian Elmer has three fouls for Miami.
Miami leads SMU at the half, 43-34
After Boopie Miller cut the Miami lead to just 2 points, Brant Byers took over. He went on a solo 9-0 run, finishing an ‘and-1’ before splashing back-to-back 3-pointers. Home crowd in Dayton loved every second of it.
Miami has been a three-headed monster offensively in the first half. Eian Elmer leads with 14 points, while Byers and Luke Skaljac have 12 apiece. Miami has done an excellent job on the glass, matching the taller Mustangs with 18 boards.
SMU goes on run to close gap | Miami 34, SMU 30 2:57
So much for the cold start. After Miami hit 7 of 9 shots to take a double-digit lead, SMU has now hit 7 of 8 to close the gap to just 4 points. Miami fans unhappy after an apparent foul as Almar Atlason went for a layup went uncalled, leading to an SMU layup on the other end.
Eian Elmer scores 5 quickly vs. SMU | Miami 20, SMU 13 8:12 1H
Out of the media timeout, the RedHawks came out dialed in. Brant Byers blocked 7-2 center Samet Yigitoglu, then kicked it ahead to Eian Elmer for a wide-open 3-pointer. Elmer would score again after a steal, catching a tough Peter Suder lob for a trick-shot tip-in that caused the crowd to go wild. Miami now on an extended 8-0 run as SMU calls timeout.
Miami leads in cold offensive start | Miami 15, SMU 13 9:19 1H
Though these are two of the nation’s top offenses, both teams have struggled to adjust to the environment a bit in the first half. SMU is still 0-7 from 3-point range, including Boopie Miller’s most recent airball. Miami is better from deep at 3-for-12, with Eian Elmer hitting two and Luke Skaljac adding another.
Miami dealing with early fouls | Miami 7, SMU 7 15:56 1H
UD Arena is rocking as the RedHawks are keeping pace with SMU, but Miami has already committed three fouls as they try to keep the Mustangs off the glass and stop physical drivers. Woolfolk, Elmer and Skaljac are the three RedHawks already with a foul.
Luke Skaljac scored the first 5 points for Miami, then Almar Atlason came in off the bench and threw down a dunk that got the crowd jumping.
Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU crowd in Dayton
With just moments to go before starting lineups are introduced, Miami is dominating the crowd as expected. Just 40 miles from Miami’s campus, over 80% of the crowd looks to be dressed in RedHawks red. That includes Ohio governor Mike DeWine, who made the trip to support Ohio’s surprise team.
Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU scouting report
The RedHawks got good news as B.J. Edwards is officially out for today’s contest, but beating SMU is still a tall task for the RedHawks. Miami will need to match the physicality of SMU’s 7-2 and 6-10 centers to keep the Mustangs from dominating the glass. For a full breakdown of Miami’s keys to victory, check out The Enquirer’s scouting report of Miami vs. SMU.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/miami-university/2026/03/18/miami-ohio-redhawks-vs-smu-mustangs-ncaa-tournament-first-four-preview/89191475007/
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks basketball starting lineup
Miami had almost a full week off since last taking the court and the rest should have the RedHawks close to full strength. Miami will roll out a familiar starting lineup tonight: Eian Elmer (W, 6-6, Jr.), Luke Skaljac (G, 6-2, So.), Peter Suder (G, 6-4, Sr.), Antwone Woolfolk (F, 6-9, Sr.), and Brant Byers (W, 6-8, R-So.).
SMU Mustangs basketball starting lineup
Without senior guard B.J. Edwards, the Mustangs will turn to an even larger lineup. Here’s who will start for SMU: Boopie Miller (G, 6-0, Sr.), Corey Washington (F, 6-6, Sr.), Jason Pierre Jr. (G, 6-5, Sr.), Jaden Toombs (C, 6-10, Fr.), and Samet Yigitoglu (C, 7-2, So.).
B.J. Edwards injury update
B.J. Edwards, a senior guard for SMU, is not in the starting lineup and presumed out for the Mustangs.
SMU had hoped that Edwards would be ready to go in the NCAA Tournament, saying in yesterday’s media availability that he was progressing well. The senior averaged 12.7 points for the Mustangs but hasn’t played since Feb. 25 with an ankle injury. SMU has gone just 1-5 in Edwards’s time away.
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball record
Miami completed just the 25th undefeated regular season in college basketball history, capping a 31-0 season with a cathartic win over rival Ohio University. The RedHawks hoped to become double champions of the Mid-American Conference, but were bounced from the MAC tournament in the quarterfinals by UMass to enter Selection Sunday at 31-1.
SMU will be the first high-major opponent for the RedHawks this season.
SMU Mustangs men’s basketball record
In the school’s second year after joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, SMU went 20-13 overall with an 8-10 conference record. The Mustangs finished 11th in the ACC during the regular season, winning one ACC Tournament game against Syracuse before bowing out against Louisville.
The Mustangs closed the year winning just one of its last six games after senior B.J. Edwards went down with an ankle injury. He’s listed as questionable for tonight’s contest.
How to watch Miami (OH) vs. SMU NCAA Tournament
The First Four matchup between the Miami RedHawks is set to tip-off at 9:15 p.m. Eastern. The game will be televised on truTV.
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks vs SMU Mustangs prediction
Two of the nation’s top offenses will collide in Dayton in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Miami (Ohio) is second nationally in scoring with 90.9 points per game, while SMU places in the top 25 with over 84 points per game. Neither team has been particularly capable of playing tough defense this season, and with short preparation time that doesn’t look to change. In The Enquirer’s early prediction of Miami vs. SMU, we expect a thrilling RedHawks 93-90 victory over the Mustangs.
Miami (OH) vs SMU odds
Despite playing just 40 miles from home, the RedHawks open as 7.5-point underdogs against SMU in the NCAA Tournament First Four in Dayton. Here are the betting odds, provided by BetMGM:
∎ Spread: SMU -7.5
∎ Total: o/u 162.5
∎ Moneyline: SMU -325, Miami +260
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in NCAA Tournament First Four, live updates
Reporting by Chase Souder and Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
