Eian Elmer scored 22 points, including six 3-pointers, as Miami (Ohio) stunned SMU 89-79 in the NCAA First Four, ending a 27-year tournament win drought. The 11th-seeded RedHawks (32-1), who finished the regular season undefeated, advanced to face Tennessee in the Midwest Region. Miami's 31-0 regular season remains the only perfect record in Division I during 2025-26.

Miami's path to the tournament was questioned due to a weak schedule (ranked 339th) lacking Quadrant 1 opponents. Their MAC tournament loss to Massachusetts had cast doubt on their NCAA bid, but the RedHawks silenced critics with a dominant performance against the ACC's SMU. Peter Suder's outlet pass to Elmer for the game's first bucket proved pivotal, leading to six assists and a 20-13 lead.

Jaden Toombs led SMU with 20 points and 11 rebounds, but Miami's perimeter shooting (31-of-41 from 3) and interior defense proved too much. The RedHawks' victory marks their first NCAA appearance since 2007 and solidifies their status as a Cinderella story defying preseason doubts.