In a thrilling NCAA Tournament First Four matchup, Miami (Ohio) defeated SMU 89-79, marking the RedHawks鈥� first tournament win in 27 years. Eian Elmer stood out with 22 points, leading the RedHawks, who advanced to face Tennessee in the next round. This victory follows a flawless regular season, where Miami went 31-0 before losing in the MAC Tournament, raising questions about their tournament eligibility. Despite criticism, Miami proved their worth with a decisive victory against SMU, showcasing a strong 3-point performance.

By the Numbers
  • Eian Elmer scored 22 points, hitting 6 of 9 from beyond the arc.
  • Miami finished 16 of 41 from 3-point range, while SMU went 5 of 19.
State of Play
  • Miami advances to face No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Midwest Region of the tournament.
  • SMU concluded its season with a record of 20-14, eliminated in the First Four.
What's Next

Miami will look to build on their historic victory against Tennessee, aiming to advance further in the tournament. Meanwhile, questions surrounding their tournament placement may linger depending on their future performance.

Bottom Line

Miami鈥檚 victory underscores the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament, demonstrating that underdogs can triumph against stronger opponents. The RedHawks have the chance to silence remaining skeptics with a strong showing in the next round.