RedHawks put on a show for packed crowd at UD Arena
Sea of red and white fills stands for Miami’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007
•
Published
Fans cheer on the Miami University basketball team during the RedHawks' victory over SMU at UD Arena.
RedHawks put on a show for packed crowd at UD Arena
Sea of red and white fills stands for Miami’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007
•
Published
From Wally Szczerbiak and Ron Harper jerseys to “31 and OH” shirts, UD Arena had a decidedly red and white flair Wednesday night.
RedHawks fans flocked to nearby Dayton to watch the Miami University men’s basketball team take on SMU in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
And they got a show.
In a battle of No. 11 seeds, Miami won out in resounding fashion. The RedHawks knocked off SMU 89-79 to earn a trip to Philadelphia opposite No. 6 Tennessee at 4:25 p.m. on Friday at Wells Fargo Center.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid, playing in March, playing for something you know is do or die, so emotions are very high,” said Miami junior Eian Elmer, whose 23 points paced all scorers.
Dave Hall, a 1985 Miami graduate, said this is the most Miami basketball he’s watched in the past 20 years.
“I made sure I got a ticket somehow,” the Centerville resident said when it was announced Miami was coming to UD Arena.
He wasn’t alone. More than 12,500 fans packed the home of the University of Dayton as March Madness hit its stride. A large number of them sported Miami gear – jerseys, T-shirts, hats, and more as the RedHawks made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
Sarah Schwartz, a 2022 Miami graduate, has two children currently enrolled at the university: Sophia, a graduate student, and Samuel, a junior. Sophia works for Brick & Ivy Campus Store with a booth for home basketball games at Millett Hall.
“I’ve been going to games for years, and it’s been great to see them make it this far,” Sarah Schwartz said.
The RedHawks’ stellar season turned many heads. Miami completed a perfect regular season at 31-0 on the way to earning the Mid-American Conference regular-season championship and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
“it’s unprecedented,” said Angie Reed, who was at the game with Schwartz. The pair said they “instantly grabbed the tickets” after learning Miami would be at Dayton.
Brandon Roberts was quick to grab tickets, too. While not a graduate himself, he has Miamians in the family. Decked out in a Miami hockey jersey and RedHawk chain, Roberts was excited to watch the First Four with family.
“I kind of naturally became a Miami fan,” he said. “The basketball team having a historical season is absolutely incredible.”
Incredible is an apt description of the RedHawks’ performance on Wednesday.
They left little room for doubt as they improved to 32-1 and won in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999, when the RedHawks earned a trip to the Sweet 16. Elmer was high scorer with 23, while fellow RedHawks Brant Byers (19), Luke Skaljac (17), and Almar Atlason (12) also finished in double figures.
An Atlason 3-pointer put Miami ahead 58-50 with 11:20 left to play. SMU called a timeout, and a loud “Let’s go RedHawks” chant reverberated throughout UD Arena.
With 3:16 to play, the RedHawks’ lead stood at 78-68. There was another break in the action, and Miami basketball legend Ron Harper was on the video board, firing up an already rowdy RedHawk crowd.
“It’s just something, honestly, you dream of, making big shots in March,” Skaljac said. “That’s what every kid dreams of that loves basketball.”
Wednesday was a dream for Miami fans – and fans of basketball.
The Rayner family was happy to hear an Ohio team would be in Dayton. While they are Flyer fans, Josh Rayner’s father, Randall, was a Miami graduate. The Rayners were also in attendance a year ago when Xavier University played in Dayton for the First Four.
Corben Rayner is a senior in high school, and Miami is on his list of prospective schools.
“It’s a welcoming area. The campus is beautiful there,” Corben Rayner said.
The Rayners also expected a loud and boisterous crowd.
“You see all these Miami fans here? You just know it’s going to be loud and it’s going to go crazy,” Corben Rayner said.
That was accurate. Even playing in the second game – Prairie View A&M held off Lehigh 67-55 in the opener – Miami fans showed their appreciation for the RedHawks throughout the late-night contest.
“It’s been fun watching the students get so excited and involved,” Rebecca Rayner said. “That’s something I would love for him to experience as a potential student.”
The Rayners predicted an electric evening from the Miami faithful.
They were correct.
Miami Coach Travis Steele called March “the best month of the year,” and it’s hard to argue that point after seeing UD Arena erupt Wednesday night.
“This is everything,” Steele said.
“It’s something you dream of being a part of. What an incredible atmosphere.”
RedHawks fans flocked to nearby Dayton to watch the Miami University men’s basketball team take on SMU in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
And they got a show.
In a battle of No. 11 seeds, Miami won out in resounding fashion. The RedHawks knocked off SMU 89-79 to earn a trip to Philadelphia opposite No. 6 Tennessee at 4:25 p.m. on Friday at Wells Fargo Center.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid, playing in March, playing for something you know is do or die, so emotions are very high,” said Miami junior Eian Elmer, whose 23 points paced all scorers.
Dave Hall, a 1985 Miami graduate, said this is the most Miami basketball he’s watched in the past 20 years.
“I made sure I got a ticket somehow,” the Centerville resident said when it was announced Miami was coming to UD Arena.
He wasn’t alone. More than 12,500 fans packed the home of the University of Dayton as March Madness hit its stride. A large number of them sported Miami gear – jerseys, T-shirts, hats, and more as the RedHawks made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
Sarah Schwartz, a 2022 Miami graduate, has two children currently enrolled at the university: Sophia, a graduate student, and Samuel, a junior. Sophia works for Brick & Ivy Campus Store with a booth for home basketball games at Millett Hall.
“I’ve been going to games for years, and it’s been great to see them make it this far,” Sarah Schwartz said.
The RedHawks’ stellar season turned many heads. Miami completed a perfect regular season at 31-0 on the way to earning the Mid-American Conference regular-season championship and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
“it’s unprecedented,” said Angie Reed, who was at the game with Schwartz. The pair said they “instantly grabbed the tickets” after learning Miami would be at Dayton.
Brandon Roberts was quick to grab tickets, too. While not a graduate himself, he has Miamians in the family. Decked out in a Miami hockey jersey and RedHawk chain, Roberts was excited to watch the First Four with family.
“I kind of naturally became a Miami fan,” he said. “The basketball team having a historical season is absolutely incredible.”
Incredible is an apt description of the RedHawks’ performance on Wednesday.
They left little room for doubt as they improved to 32-1 and won in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999, when the RedHawks earned a trip to the Sweet 16. Elmer was high scorer with 23, while fellow RedHawks Brant Byers (19), Luke Skaljac (17), and Almar Atlason (12) also finished in double figures.
An Atlason 3-pointer put Miami ahead 58-50 with 11:20 left to play. SMU called a timeout, and a loud “Let’s go RedHawks” chant reverberated throughout UD Arena.
With 3:16 to play, the RedHawks’ lead stood at 78-68. There was another break in the action, and Miami basketball legend Ron Harper was on the video board, firing up an already rowdy RedHawk crowd.
“It’s just something, honestly, you dream of, making big shots in March,” Skaljac said. “That’s what every kid dreams of that loves basketball.”
Wednesday was a dream for Miami fans – and fans of basketball.
The Rayner family was happy to hear an Ohio team would be in Dayton. While they are Flyer fans, Josh Rayner’s father, Randall, was a Miami graduate. The Rayners were also in attendance a year ago when Xavier University played in Dayton for the First Four.
Corben Rayner is a senior in high school, and Miami is on his list of prospective schools.
“It’s a welcoming area. The campus is beautiful there,” Corben Rayner said.
The Rayners also expected a loud and boisterous crowd.
“You see all these Miami fans here? You just know it’s going to be loud and it’s going to go crazy,” Corben Rayner said.
That was accurate. Even playing in the second game – Prairie View A&M held off Lehigh 67-55 in the opener – Miami fans showed their appreciation for the RedHawks throughout the late-night contest.
“It’s been fun watching the students get so excited and involved,” Rebecca Rayner said. “That’s something I would love for him to experience as a potential student.”
The Rayners predicted an electric evening from the Miami faithful.
They were correct.
Miami Coach Travis Steele called March “the best month of the year,” and it’s hard to argue that point after seeing UD Arena erupt Wednesday night.
“This is everything,” Steele said.
“It’s something you dream of being a part of. What an incredible atmosphere.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.