The NCAA Tournament tipped off on March 18 with a First Four slate that delivered exactly what March is all about—validation, doubt erased, and history written in real time. Two programs in particular walked away with defining wins that could carry momentum into the main bracket.
Miami (Ohio) Silences Doubters in Style
Miami (Ohio) didn’t just win—they made a statement. Behind a scorching shooting performance from Eian Elmer, the RedHawks knocked off SMU 89-79 to secure the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years. Elmer caught fire from deep, knocking down six three-pointers on his way to 23 points, leading an offensive explosion that never let up.
This was a team that came into the tournament with something to prove. Despite going undefeated in the regular season, questions surrounded Miami due to a weak strength of schedule and an early conference tournament exit. Critics wondered if they even belonged in the field.
They answered that immediately. Miami stretched the floor all night, finishing 16-of-41 from beyond the arc, with key contributions from Brant Byers (19 points) and Luke Skaljac (17 points). The ball movement, spacing, and confidence were evident from the opening tip.
More importantly, they played with an edge.
Head coach Travis Steele emphasized being the more aggressive team—and his players delivered. Miami attacked, dictated tempo, and never allowed SMU to get comfortable.
Now, the RedHawks move into the Midwest Region to face Tennessee, carrying not just momentum—but belief.
The bigger picture:
This wasn’t just a win. It was validation. A team overlooked and questioned just proved it belongs on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Prairie View A&M Makes Program History
History was made on the other side of the bracket. Prairie View A&M earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a 67-55 win over Lehigh, marking a milestone moment for the program. Dontae Horne led the way with 25 points, while Cory Wells delivered a dominant double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
This was a complete team effort—gritty, physical, and disciplined. Prairie View controlled the game defensively, holding Lehigh’s top scorer Nasir Whitlock in check for most of the night. He struggled to find rhythm, finishing with just five points on inefficient shooting. Meanwhile, Prairie View imposed its will on the glass and never allowed Lehigh to establish momentum.
Even more impressive? Their leaders never left the floor. Horne, Wells, and Lance Williams each logged all 40 minutes, showcasing toughness and urgency that defined their performance.
The Panthers now advance as a No. 16 seed to face defending national champion Florida—a daunting matchup, but one they’re embracing.
The bigger picture:
From a 5–27 season just a year ago to an NCAA Tournament win and an eight-game winning streak, Prairie View A&M is one of the early stories of March. This is what the tournament is about—growth, resilience, and opportunity.
What the First Four Told Us
March Madness always reveals something early—and this year is no different.
• Shooting travels. Miami’s perimeter attack proved lethal and could make them dangerous moving forward.
• Defense still wins games. Prairie View’s physicality and discipline set the tone from start to finish.
• Narratives can flip fast. Doubts about Miami vanished in 40 minutes. Prairie View turned a rebuilding story into history.
The First Four isn’t just a play-in—it’s a proving ground. And on March 18, two teams took full advantage.
