The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks of the Mid-American Conference defeated the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs of the Atlantic Coast Conference 89-79 in a First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.[1][3] The win advances the No. 11 seed RedHawks into the round of 64.

Miami (Ohio), located in Oxford, Ohio, approximately 35 miles north of Dayton, benefited from nearby proximity and support from traveling fans.[2]

Eian Elmer scored 23 points for Miami (Ohio), including six 3-pointers. Brant Byers added 19 points and Luke Skalijac contributed 17 points.

Jaden Toombs led SMU with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. added 18 points. SMU has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1988.[4]

Miami (Ohio) head coach Travis Steele, in his third season with the program,[5] 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."

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."

Some Miami (Ohio) students who traveled to the game wore swim trunks and caps, and distracted an SMU player at the foul line during the second half.

The RedHawks will play Tennessee in the round of 64 on March 20, 2026.

Sources

1. NCAA, "2024 NCAA DI men's basketball First Four primer: All you need to know", March 18, 2024, https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-03-18/2024-ncaa-di-mens-basketball-first-four-primer-all-you-need
2. Wikipedia, "Miami University", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_University
3. NCAA, "Men's basketball tournament locations", accessed October 2024, https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-03-13/march-madness-what-first-four
4. Wikipedia, "SMU Mustangs men's basketball", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMU_Mustangs_men%27s_basketball#NCAA_Tournament_results
5. Miami University Athletics, "Travis Steele - Head Coach, Men's Basketball", accessed October 2024, https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/travis-steele/3331