Former RedHawks Star Szczerbiak Cheers Team's 3-Point Barrage

Miami shoots 10-of-25 from deep in First Four win over SMU

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:18am

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Former Miami RedHawks basketball star Wally Szczerbiak cheered on his alma mater's hot 3-point shooting performance in their NCAA Tournament First Four win over SMU on March 18. Szczerbiak, now a college basketball analyst, tweeted "Let it fly!!! #Flamethrowers" as the RedHawks hit 10 3-pointers in the first half.

Why it matters

Szczerbiak was a standout player for the RedHawks in the late 1990s, leading them to the Sweet 16 in 1999. His support for the current team shows the enduring connection between former players and the program, and the RedHawks' 3-point shooting prowess could be a key factor as they look to advance further in the tournament.

The details

The RedHawks shot 10-of-25 from 3-point range in the first half, led by 1,000-point scorer Eian Elmer's four made 3-pointers. Analyst Jamal Mashburn praised the team's confidence and ability to "run you out of this gym really quickly" with their outside shooting.

  • The First Four game between Miami and SMU took place on March 18, 2026.
  • Szczerbiak, now a college basketball analyst, watched the game from Portland, where he was calling Round of 64 action later in the week.

The players

Wally Szczerbiak

A former standout player for the Miami RedHawks in the late 1990s, who led the team to the Sweet 16 in 1999. He is now a college basketball analyst.

Eian Elmer

A 1,000-point scorer for the Miami RedHawks who hit four 3-pointers in the first half of the First Four game against SMU.

Jamal Mashburn

A college basketball analyst who praised the RedHawks' confidence and 3-point shooting ability during the First Four game.

John Cena

An actor and former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar who sent a special message to Eian Elmer ahead of the First Four game.

Charles Barkley

A college basketball analyst who said the RedHawks shouldn't have had to play in the First Four because "it's not their fault everybody in their conference sucks."

Andy Enfield

The head coach of SMU, who said earlier in the week that Miami deserved its first at-large bid since Szczerbiak's 1999 Sweet 16 team.

Tyler Hansbrough

A former North Carolina Tar Heels standout who suggested that the RedHawks didn't deserve an at-large bid.

Seth Davis

A college basketball analyst who said during CBS' Selection Sunday show that Miami received the final at-large bid available.

Keith Gill

The chairman of the NCAA selection committee, who clarified that North Carolina State, Texas and SMU were ranked lower than Miami.

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What they’re saying

“Let it fly!!! #Flamethrowers”

— Wally Szczerbiak

“They're not scared, and they can shoot the ball, and they can run you out of this gym really quickly.”

— Jamal Mashburn, Analyst

“Miami deserved its first at-large bid since Szczerbiak's 1999 Sweet 16 team, and critics of the RedHawks should shut up.”

— Andy Enfield, SMU Head Coach

“I was very surprised the RedHawks were sent to Dayton.”

— Wally Szczerbiak

“Miami received the final at-large bid available.”

— Seth Davis, Analyst

What’s next

The winner of the Miami-SMU First Four game will advance to face the #1 seed in the Midwest Region in the Round of 64 on March 20.

The takeaway

Wally Szczerbiak's enthusiastic support for his alma mater's 3-point shooting prowess in the NCAA Tournament First Four shows the enduring connection between former players and the Miami RedHawks program. The team's ability to shoot the lights out could be a key factor as they look to make a deep tournament run.