Miami (OH) snaps drought
Miami (Ohio) beat SMU in the First Four — their first NCAA tournament win since 1999 — ending a 27‑year drought and advancing the bracket. ( ) CBS Sports’ simulations and bracketologists say the First Four results are already boosting upset probabilities and reshuffling early March Madness models. (cbssports.com)
Final score: Miami (OH) 89, SMU 79 at UD Arena in Dayton on March 18, 2026. (espn.com) Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and went 6-of-9 from three-point range, while Brant Byers added 19 points (four 3s) and Luke Skaljac scored 17. (espn.com) SMU’s Jaden Toombs posted 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Mustangs in the First Four loss, according to the SMU athletics box score and ESPN’s game summary. (smumustangs.com) Miami dished 20 assists and committed just four turnovers in the win, a box-score profile analysts flagged as a key factor in the RedHawks’ offensive efficiency. (msn.com) The winner was slotted to meet No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Midwest Region, with early market lines showing Tennessee as roughly a 10.5-point favorite in initial books. (espn.com) Miami entered the postseason at 31-1 after a MAC Tournament loss and improved to 32-1 with the Dayton victory, figures reflected in team releases and the official game box score. (smumustangs.com) CBS Sports’ SportsLine projection engine — which simulates the bracket roughly 10,000 times — has signaled updates to upset probabilities and bracket projections now that First Four outcomes are set. (msn.com) The program’s most notable prior March run featured Wally Szczerbiak’s 43-point performance in the 1999 tournament, a statistical touchstone often cited when comparing Miami’s 2026 moment to past successes. (sports-reference.com)
