Miami (Ohio) and Prairie View A&M advance from First Four with statement victories
Miami (OH) RedHawks wing Brant Byers (22) hits layup in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
Miami proves doubters wrong with offensive explosion
Two programs that faced questions about their NCAA Tournament worthiness delivered emphatic answers Wednesday night at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Miami (Ohio) and Prairie View A&M both secured convincing First Four victories, advancing to face higher-seeded opponents while silencing critics who doubted their credentials.
The RedHawks left no uncertainty about their tournament viability, dismantling SMU 89-79 in front of a raucous crowd just 40 miles from their Oxford campus. Despite entering as 6.5-point underdogs, Miami controlled the game from start to finish, recording their largest victory margin and most 3-pointers (16) in NCAA Tournament history.
« The reason people love March Madness is they love to see quote, unquote, upsets, » coach Travis Steele said. « This wasn’t an upset tonight, at all. »
Star guard Peter Suder led the charge for Miami, addressing critics who questioned the team’s strength of schedule after a 31-1 regular season record. « All the doubters that doubted us, all saying we don’t have Quad 1 wins, two wins, all that stuff, I don’t know what they’re going to say now, » Suder said. « We proved the doubters wrong. To win by double digits against a really good team, athletically, physically talented players, it’s huge for this program. »
The RedHawks’ 3-point barrage proved unstoppable, as they attempted more shots from beyond the arc (10 makes) than 2-point attempts (9) in the first half. Miami also held their own on the boards despite their size disadvantage, matching SMU with 35 rebounds while collecting 12 offensive boards.
Prairie View completes historic turnaround
In the night’s second game, Prairie View A&M capped one of college basketball’s most remarkable turnarounds with a 67-55 victory over Lehigh. The Panthers, who won just five games last season, became only the third team since 1985 to win an NCAA Tournament game following a season of five wins or fewer.
Dontae Horne led the way with 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals, continuing his remarkable personal revival after struggling at previous stops. « To have a school that had faith in me means a lot to me, » Horne said, « because if they didn’t have to have faith in me, I wouldn’t be the player I am right now, and I wouldn’t be here today. »
Coach Byron Smith rebuilt his roster through the transfer portal, bringing in players with chips on their shoulders. « When you bring people in that have been doubted, and if they come together, they work together, great things can happen, » Smith explained.
Prairie View’s defense proved decisive, holding Lehigh’s star guard Nasir Whitlock to just five points on 2-of-15 shooting, 16 points below his season average. The Panthers forced 12 steals and scored 18 points off turnovers, completely disrupting Lehigh’s offensive rhythm.
Both teams now face daunting challenges ahead. Miami will take on sixth-seeded Tennessee in Philadelphia, while Prairie View A&M gets defending national champion Florida in Tampa. However, after Wednesday’s performances, neither program will enter as mere tournament participants – they’ve proven they belong on college basketball’s biggest stage.
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