Purdue Overcomes Challenges, Advances to Elite Eight With 3-1 Record in Final Four
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — March Madness tips off with the First Four, featuring one of this season's best stories in Miami (Ohio) and a matchup of formerly embattled head coaches in Texas' Sean Miller and NC State's Will Wade. Coming off their only loss of the season, the RedHawks have a chance to silence some skeptics against fellow No. 11 seed SMU (20-13) on Wednesday night.
The RedHawks, who are back in the tournament for the first time since 2007, were rewarded with a game in Dayton, roughly 43 miles from campus. “It’s going to be a great environment,” RedHawks coach Travis Steele said. “Hopefully the RedHawk nation will be showing up there on Wednesday night to support us.
I’m sure they will (and) it will be a home game for us. ” There are two games Tuesday night to open the tournament. Despite a 31-1 record, Miami wasn't assured of a bid due to its schedule ranking 339th nationally with no Quadrant 1 opponents.
After recording just the eighth unbeaten regular season in the past 50 years. Miami lost to UMass in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, putting their tournament hopes in jeopardy. “I was very confident,” forward Eian Elmer said.
“I think it’s hard to leave a team that’s 31-0 in a regular season out. It just wouldn’t look right for the sport, diminishing something like that, something that’s very rarely done. ” The winner will face No.
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