The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament is set to feature a game between the SMU Mustangs and Miami (OH) RedHawks. This postseason game will take place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 9:15 PM ET and will be broadcast on truT.
The SMU Mustangs come into this game with a regular season record of 20-13. In their conference, they finished with a 9-11 record. Recently, they played against Louisville, where they lost 62-58. Before that, they secured a win against Syracuse with a score of 86-69.
Miami (OH) RedHawks had a strong regular season, finishing with a 31-1 record. In their conference, they went 18-1. Their last game was a close loss to Massachusetts, ending 87-83. Prior to that, they won against Ohio with a score of 110-108.
Miami (OH) Preview
The Miami (OH) RedHawks play in the Mid-American Conference. They had a strong 2026 regular season with an overall record of 31-1. In conference play, they went 18-1. This shows their ability to perform well both in and out of conference games.
In recent games, the RedHawks had a close loss to the Massachusetts Minutemen, 87-83. Eian Elmer scored 16 points in that game. They also had a narrow win against the Ohio Bobcats, 110-108, with Elmer scoring 32 points. Another close win came against the Toledo Rockets, 74-72, where Peter Suder scored 19 points.
The RedHawks have impressive offensive stats. They average 90.7 points per game, ranking 4th. Their field goal percentage is 52.4, which is the best in the nation. They also make 10.4 three-pointers per game, ranking 39th. Their effective field goal percentage is 61.2, placing them 2nd.
Key players for the RedHawks include Peter Suder and Eian Elmer. Suder averages 14.6 points per game and has a field goal percentage of 55.4. Elmer averages 12.6 points per game with a field goal percentage of 50.0. Antwone Woolfolk also contributes with an average of 10.3 points per game and a high field goal percentage of 64.0.
SMU Preview
The SMU Mustangs are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had mixed results. They won against Northern Iowa with a score of 73-63. However, they faced a narrow loss to Oklahoma State, ending the game at 83-85.
During the 2026 regular season, the Mustangs had an overall record of 20-13. Their conference record was 9-11. In recent games, they lost to Louisville by 4 points, with a score of 58-62. They also lost to Florida State, 78-91, but secured a win against Syracuse, 86-69.
The Mustangs have some strong players. Boopie Miller stands out with an average of 19.2 points per game. Jaron Pierre Jr. follows with 17.6 points per game. Samet Yigitoglu contributes with 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. These players help drive the team’s performance.
Offensively, the Mustangs score an average of 84.2 points per game, ranking 27th. They have a field goal percentage of 49.0, placing them 24th. Defensively, they average 7.1 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. The team works hard on both ends of the court to compete in their conference.
Statistical Breakdown for Miami (OH) vs SMU
The game between the Miami (OH) RedHawks and the SMU Mustangs will be shaped by their offensive abilities. The RedHawks score 90.7 points per game, ranking 4th, while the Mustangs score 84.2 points, ranking 27th. Miami (OH) has the best field goal percentage in the nation at 52.4, and SMU is not far behind with 49.0. Both teams also excel in three-point shooting, with Miami (OH) making 10.4 per game and SMU making 8.5. These stats suggest a high-scoring game with both teams relying on their shooting skills.
- Miami (OH) Points Per Game: 90.7 (4th)
- SMU Points Per Game: 84.2 (27th)
- Miami (OH) Field Goal Percentage: 52.4 (1st)
- SMU Field Goal Percentage: 49.0 (24th)
- Miami (OH) Three-Point Made Per Game: 10.4 (39th)
- SMU Three-Point Made Per Game: 8.5 (155th)
Betting Insights
The SMU Mustangs and Miami (OH) RedHawks have shown different betting trends from last season. SMU had a solid record when favored, but struggled as underdogs. Miami (OH) performed well both straight up and against the spread, especially in recent games. These trends can help bettors make informed decisions. Here are the top five betting insights for this game:
- Miami (OH) is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
- SMU is 0-5 on the Over/Under in their last 5 games.
- Miami (OH) is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- SMU is 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Miami (OH) is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Miami (OH) vs SMU
The game between Miami (OH) RedHawks and SMU Mustangs is expected to be high-scoring. Miami (OH) has a strong offense, averaging 90.7 points per game. Their shooting accuracy is impressive, with a field goal percentage of 52.4. SMU also has a solid offense, scoring 84.2 points per game. Both teams can score well, which might lead to a close game.
Miami (OH) has shown they can compete in tight games. They recently had close wins and losses, showing their ability to stay in games until the end. Key players like Peter Suder and Eian Elmer can make a difference. SMU, on the other hand, has struggled a bit in recent games. They have lost some close ones, which might affect their confidence.
Given the stats and recent performances, Miami (OH) could cover the spread. They have been strong against the spread in recent games. SMU is favored, but Miami (OH) has the potential to keep it close. The game might be decided by a few key plays, making Miami (OH) a good pick against the spread.
- Our Free Prediction: Miami (OH) +6.5
