Miami (Ohio) Stuns SMU in First Four, Advances to Face Tennessee

Miami (Ohio) found itself in an unusual position Wednesday night in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Despite a remarkable 31-1 start, the RedHawks were only selected as an at-large team and had to play their way into the main bracket just 40 miles from their Oxford, Ohio campus.

Entering the game as 6.5-point underdogs, the 11th-seeded RedHawks stunned SMU with an 89-79 victory at UD Arena. Miami led for most of the contest, setting records with 16 made three-pointers and delivering their highest-scoring NCAA tournament performance since 1958.

With the win, Miami improved to 32-1 and advanced to face No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Midwest region. The victory marked the program’s first NCAA tournament win since its Sweet 16 run in 1999.

Why This News Matters

This upset dramatically changes perceptions of Miami (Ohio). A team that entered the tournament with doubts surrounding its strength has now proven it can compete—and dominate—on college basketball’s biggest stage. Wins like this can quickly turn underdogs into dangerous opponents that higher seeds hope to avoid.

Offensive Explosion and Key Performances

Miami’s offense was fueled by its aggressive three-point shooting, attempting and making more shots from beyond the arc than inside it early in the game. The team finished with 16 three-pointers in total.

Eian Elmer led all scorers with 23 points, knocking down six shots from deep. Brant Byers contributed 19 points, Luke Skaljac added 17, and Almar Atlason chipped in with 12 points.

Elmer and Skaljac combined for 26 of Miami’s first 28 points, setting the tone early. Elmer scored 14 points in the first half alone, while Byers sparked a personal 9-0 run late in the half.

The RedHawks closed the first half on a 9-2 run to take a 43-34 lead into the break. A transition three-pointer from Skaljac later extended Miami’s lead to 14 points.

Game Flow and Key Moments

SMU opened the game with the first four points, but Miami quickly responded as Skaljac scored five straight. Elmer then took over, scoring 11 consecutive points to give the RedHawks a 23-13 advantage.

The Mustangs fought back in the second half, briefly taking a 49-48 lead with just over 14 minutes remaining. However, Miami quickly regained control. Byers hit a key three-pointer, and Atlason added five straight points during a decisive 13-0 run that pushed the lead to 63-50.

Although SMU managed to cut the deficit to seven, Elmer sealed the game with six straight points, including a highlight-reel backdoor cut and one-handed slam.

Crowd Energy and Home-Court Advantage

Although the game was played in Dayton, the atmosphere strongly favored Miami. With Oxford just an hour away, RedHawks fans filled the arena, creating a near home-court environment.

The crowd erupted with every three-pointer, providing a clear energy boost. SMU coach Andy Enfield remarked on the overwhelming support, saying it felt like a much larger crowd in Miami’s favor.

Adding to the spectacle, Miami’s swim and dive team created distractions during free throws, while former NBA player Ron Harper was seen celebrating with the team after the win.

Players acknowledged the crowd’s impact, with Antwone Woolfolk describing the atmosphere as “elite.”

What to Watch Next

Miami (Ohio) now turns its attention to a matchup against Tennessee. The key question will be whether the RedHawks can sustain their hot three-point shooting and carry momentum into the next round.

If they continue their offensive rhythm and maintain strong fan support, Miami could emerge as one of the tournament’s most dangerous Cinderella teams.