Miami-Ohio's Eian Elmer scores 1,000th point in First Four game

RedHawks guard joins elite club in NCAA Tournament opener against SMU

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:04am

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Miami RedHawks guard Eian Elmer, a former Taft High School standout, scored his 1,000th career point during a huge first half performance in their NCAA Tournament First Four game against the SMU Mustangs. Elmer had 14 points in the first half, including 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, to help give the RedHawks a halftime lead.

Why it matters

Elmer's milestone achievement comes as the RedHawks make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999, when Wally Szczerbiak led the team to the Sweet 16. The RedHawks' at-large bid has been a source of debate, with some critics arguing they didn't deserve the selection.

The details

Elmer, a senior guard, reached the 1,000-point mark during the first half of the First Four matchup against SMU at University of Dayton Arena. He had a strong shooting performance, connecting on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to help Miami build a halftime lead. Prior to the game, actor and former WWE star John Cena sent a special message to Elmer congratulating him on the achievement.

  • Eian Elmer scored his 1,000th career point during the first half of the March 18, 2026 NCAA Tournament First Four game against SMU.

The players

Eian Elmer

A senior guard for the Miami RedHawks who scored his 1,000th career point in the First Four game against SMU.

John Cena

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

Andy Enfield

The head coach of the SMU Mustangs, who said earlier in the week that Miami deserved its at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Tyler Hansbrough

A former North Carolina Tar Heels standout who suggested that the Miami RedHawks did not deserve an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Wally Szczerbiak

A former Miami RedHawks player who led the team to the Sweet 16 in 1999, and who expressed surprise that the 2026 RedHawks team was sent to the First Four.

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What they’re saying

“It's not their fault everybody in their conference sucks.”

— Charles Barkley, TNT Sports college basketball analyst

“Miami deserved its first at-large bid since Wally 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

What’s next

The winner of the Miami-Ohio vs. SMU First Four game will advance to face the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Eian Elmer's 1,000th career point milestone is a bright spot for the Miami RedHawks as they make their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 20 years, despite some criticism of their at-large bid. The RedHawks' performance in the First Four will be closely watched as they look to prove the doubters wrong and make a deep tournament run.