Miami (Ohio) secured an 89鈥�79 victory over SMU in the First Four, advancing in the NCAA tournament and positioning itself for a potential Cinderella story. Head coach Travis Steele emphasized the importance of their upstart status, not only for the team but for mid-major programs as a whole. Despite the RedHawks' strong record of 31鈥�1 before the Mid-American Conference tournament, their operating budget paints a classic Cinderella picture against power conference teams.

By the Numbers
  • Miami (Ohio) finished the regular season with a record of 31鈥�1.
  • The RedHawks' budget for the men's basketball program is just $2.9 million for 2024鈥�25, while Tennessee's is $23.2 million.
State of Play
  • The RedHawks are seen as a competitive underdog in the tournament after overcoming significant challenges throughout the season.
  • Miami鈥檚 athletic director noted the crucial support from wealthy alumni, contributing to their success despite financial limitations.
What's Next

As Miami (Ohio) prepares to face No. 6 Tennessee, their focus will be on leveraging their underdog status and capitalizing on momentum from their recent victory to potentially upset higher-seeded teams in the tournament.

Bottom Line

Miami (Ohio)'s triumph emphasizes the possibility of mid-major success in the NCAA tournament, highlighting the important role of community support and a strong team ethos in their quest to challenge the established powers of college basketball.