Miami (Ohio) defeats SMU 89-79 in NCAA First Four

Miami University RedHawks men's basketball team defeated Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs 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. The win advances Miami (Ohio) into the tournament bracket as the No. 11 seed.

The game was held approximately 35 miles from Miami's home campus in Oxford, Ohio. A group of traveling students in the RedHawks fan section wore swim trunks and caps and were credited with distracting an SMU player at the free-throw line during the second half.

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

Miami (Ohio) head coach Travis Steele, who was hired in March 2024,^[1] 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."

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."

Prior to the game, Miami (Ohio) held an all-time NCAA tournament record of 0-15.^[2] The Mid-American Conference (MAC) team had finished its regular season undefeated at 31-0 but exited early from the conference tournament. SMU's Jaden Toombs recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 18. SMU was seeking its first NCAA tournament win since 1988.^[4]

The First Four opening games are held at University of Dayton Arena through 2027.^[3]

Miami (Ohio) will face Tennessee in the round of 64 on March 20, 2026.