Miami (OH) has used a storybook run to receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, but does SMU have what it takes to slam the book shut in their First-Four matchup?
It's time for March Madness, and the SMU Mustangs are dancing into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
This time of year often lends itself to underdog stories and unforgettable moments, or points to how each crunch-time moment is significant for a season's ultimate finish line.
The Ponies are no exception ... like how about Boopie Miller's half-court buzzer beater to beat Virginia Tech on Jan. 14? In hindsight now two months later, SMU very likely would not have had their season get to this point if it weren't for the magic of that shot.
Now as the last team into the field, SMU will be one of the first-four to enter themselves into the 64-team bracket, but awaiting them in Dayton is one of the teams that has made waves all season long with a storyline that is incredible as it is controversial.
Miami University (OH) was the last Division I team to be undefeated this men's basketball season, reaching a mark of 31-0. But last week that run came to an end in the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) Tournament as the eight-seed Massachusetts outlasted the conference's top dog in the first round.
The Redhawks fell 87-83, and without as many quality wins as other teams on the bubble of NCAA Tournament at-large consideration, their future was put into the hands of the committee on Selection Sunday.
Miami (OH) ultimately landing a spot in the First-Four may not be exactly where the Redhawks wanted to be, but its also to the dismay of crazed college basketball fans who think they shouldn't be in at all, who are disregarding the Redhawks' record because of the lesser competition.
That could lead to an interesting situation for the Mustangs.
On one hand, Miami (OH) will be out for vengeance, using their upset loss in the MAC tourney as fuel to not end a record-breaking season with back-to-back losses where the schedule cranks up the most.
Alternatively, the fans could be right. SMU, according to KenPom's database, ranks 42nd while Miami (OH)'s ranks 93rd in the country across cumulative metric rankings. The numbers - which are in SMU's favor through a head-to-head lens - could result in an outcome of the game that proves which team is better.
The Ponies have the advantage over Miami (OH) in notable statistics such as offensive rating (26th to 70th), defensive rating (91st to 156th) and strength of schedule (51st to 269th).
These numbers are nice and all ... but that's where teams get trapped in this bracket. With a win-or-go-home format, anything can happen. These sensations of a storybook run warrant themselves to success, and that'd mean an unfortunate buzzsaw for SMU.
That's why it's paramount that the Mustangs come with their best this week to make the First-Four round the final chapter of the Redhawks' memorable season.
B.J. Edwards is set to return, but is the dynamic guard fully healthy? How will he be used - as a decoy or as a focal point in the offense? Can the Ponies' strong perimeter shooting outweigh their struggling defense?
And another thing? The site of the First-Four games in Dayton are roughly an hour and a half away from Miami (OH)'s campus.
Come tipoff on Wednesday, SMU could have as many things working against them as they do for them in their quest to not just extend their own season, but to rip up one of the more notable resumes in the country.
