Miami University guard Luke Skaljac throws a pass against SMU during a 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament First Four matchup Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio. Photo by Miami University Athletics
March 19 (UPI) -- Miami University players addressed those who didn't think they deserved a place in the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament after a convincing First Four triumph over SMU.
The RedHawks, who went a perfect 31-0 during the regular season, but fell to UMass in the Mid-American Conference tournament, bounced back with an 89-79 victory over the Mustangs on Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio.
They entered the game as 6.5-point underdogs and faced criticism from those who didn't believe they belonged in the tournament field.
"All the doubters that doubted us, all saying we don't have Quad 1,2 wins, all that stuff, I don't know what they're going to say now," senior guard Peter Suder said.
