This was more than just a win over SMU.
It’s also a victory for the skeptics.
After weeks of heated debate over Miami (Ohio)’s suitability for the NCAA Tournament, the Redhawks jumped at the chance to prove they belong. The team that inspired 1,000 buzz silenced its critics by defeating SMU 89-79 on Wednesday night to advance from the top four to the NCAA tournament.
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The Miami Heat are finally shaking off the back-and-forth pressure that comes with trying to maintain an undefeated season at the end of MAC play, returning to the fearlessness and fluidity that were their hallmarks from the start of the season. The rejuvenated Redhawks knocked down 41 3-pointers and drained 16 of them to build a 14-point lead with seven minutes remaining and hold off a desperate SMU comeback.
When Eian Elmer caught Jaron Pierre Jr.’s off-target 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, it was clear this was Miami’s moment. Miami head coach Travis Steele motioned to the already raucous red-shirted crowd to make some noise. Fans who traveled about an hour from Miami’s campus in Oxford, Ohio, responded with a deafening roar.
No one can credibly claim this 31-win Miami team is not good enough to compete at the NCAA tournament level anymore. No one can credibly call the Redhawks a schedule-aid scam anymore. No matter what happens when Miami takes on sixth-seeded Tennessee and its massive frontcourt on Friday, the Redhawks are already validated.
Over the years, the first four games rarely generated any buzz because they were revealed before fans had even filled out their brackets. Typically only students and alumni of participating schools can emotionally watch two middling teams compete for the No. 11 seed in the 64-team main draw.
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The matchup between Miami (Ohio) and Southern Methodist University adds a little extra pizzazz to Wednesday night’s Top Four dual meet. Even casual fans are curious to see if the Redhawks will stumble, or rise up against the toughest opponent they’ve faced all season.
Miami (Ohio) enters Sunday with a 31-1 record but a resume unlike any previous NCAA tournament hopeful. The RedHawks achieved these wins against one of the easiest schedules in the country, which includes 19 games against MAC play, three games against NAIA opponents and a handful of other non-league games against Division I teams. Their only first 100 win came at home against Akron. Their next most impressive result was a road win over Wright State, ranked No. 134 by the NET.
Most prognosticators echo the screams of analysts like Bruce Pearl and Tyler Hansbrough – that Miami’s quality isn’t at the level of other NCAA Tournament bid contenders. The Redhawks fell to No. 87 in Bart Torvik’s rankings and No. 93 in Ken Pomeroy’s rankings after previously unknown UMass ruined their undefeated season in the MAC quarterfinals.
Outcome-based metrics evaluate Miami more generously. The Redhawks entered Sunday’s draft ranked 28th in record strength and 38th in wins above the bubble, better reflecting the challenge of finishing the regular season undefeated in any schedule. That puts the Miami Heat ahead of Iowa State, St. Louis and Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament and well ahead of bubble teams with more big wins but also more losses.
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When the NCAA Tournament selection committee places Miami in the top four to face SMU, it’s also a chance for the Redhawks to prove they belong in the tournament. SMU is as good as the University of Miami. The Broncos (20-13) went 8-10 in ACC play and barely made the NCAA tournament despite losing five of their last six games before Selection Sunday.
When asked Sunday about Miami (Ohio) being a polarizing choice, Southern Methodist University coach Andy Enfield told reporters, “Maybe one or two people in the media who have spoken out about them.”
“Some people just need to be quiet on the radio sometimes,” Enfield continued. I think Miami Ohio is worth attending. They are a great team. They share basketball. They shoot threes. A record of 31-0 in the regular season was unbelievable. So I got all the respect in the world [for them]”.
Judging from the opening minutes Wednesday night, Enfield’s assessment of Miami was spot on. The Redhawks displayed endless range and boundless confidence as they took a nine-point halftime lead.
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Time and time again, Miami forced SMU to collapse on the ball in the middle of the court. Time and time again, the Redhawks kicked the ball away and passed it to the open shooter. Time and time again, that player fearlessly lets it fly. The Heat took 25 shots from beyond the three-point line in the first half. The Redhawks sank 10 of those 3-pointers, with Elmer and Brandt Byers combining to do most of the damage.
When SMU adjusted early in the second half, stretching its defense and trying to take away kickoff passes, Miami responded by exploiting holes in the middle of the field. The Redhawks held off the Broncos’ charge early in the second half, then extended the lead back to double digits with 10 minutes left.
If anyone looks like they don’t belong here, it’s SMU. The Broncos look a lot like the team that lost double-digit scorer and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year BJ Edwards to an ankle injury in ACC play.
SMU announced two days before Sunday’s selection that Edwards “is expected to return to action and compete in the NCAA tournament.” Selection committee chairman Keith Gill cited Edwards’ return when explaining why the Broncos earned one of the final roster spots in the NCAA tournament. However, as Wednesday’s First Four game was about to begin, Edwards was sitting on the bench in street clothes.
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Without Edwards, Southern Methodist would have trouble guarding Miami’s shooting lineup, and the Broncos wouldn’t be able to match up in the paint against the smaller RedHawks.
This was supposed to be the night Miami was exposed by power conference teams.
Instead, it turned out to be the Redhawks’ greatest victory.