Miami advances in NCAA Tournament after win against SMU

RedHawks earn first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:34am

The Miami University RedHawks defeated the SMU Mustangs in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the first time in 27 years that the RedHawks have won a game in the Big Dance.

Why it matters

Miami's victory over SMU represents a significant milestone for the RedHawks basketball program, which has struggled to find success in the NCAA Tournament in recent decades. This win could provide a much-needed boost of momentum and confidence for the team as they look to make a deeper run in the tournament.

The details

The RedHawks were led by a strong offensive performance, with several players scoring in double figures to power the team to victory over the Mustangs. Miami's defense also played a key role, limiting SMU's scoring opportunities and forcing crucial turnovers down the stretch.

  • The game was played on March 18, 2026.

The players

Miami University RedHawks

The men's basketball team representing Miami University, a public research university located in Oxford, Ohio.

SMU Mustangs

The men's basketball team representing Southern Methodist University, a private research university located in Dallas, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge win for our program and our community. The guys have worked so hard to get to this point, and I'm so proud of their effort tonight.”

— Jack Owens, Head Coach, Miami University RedHawks

What’s next

The RedHawks will now advance to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face a higher-seeded opponent in the coming days.

The takeaway

Miami's victory over SMU in the First Four represents a significant milestone for the RedHawks basketball program, which has struggled to find success in the NCAA Tournament in recent decades. This win could provide a much-needed boost of momentum and confidence for the team as they look to make a deeper run in the tournament.