Miami vs. Tennessee: RedHawks, Volunteers to clash in 1st round of NCAA Tournament The Miami RedHawks advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament after a dominant performance in the First Four, defeating the SMU Mustangs 89-79. The victory propelled Miami to a 32-1 record on the season and set the stage for their next challenge against the sixth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in Philadelphia. The matchup is scheduled for Friday, with a potential early start time due to the game being the second contest in the session. The first game of the day, Wright State vs. Virginia, will tip off at 1:50 p.m. Fans unable to travel to Philadelphia can watch the RedHawks vs. Volunteers game on TBS. Tickets for Friday’s session are still available, with prices starting around $70. A single ticket grants access to both games held at Dayton’s UD Arena. Miami’s historic First Four performance included a school-record 16 three-pointers, led by Eian Elmer, who shot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. The RedHawks’ offensive firepower helped secure their place in the tournament. Tennessee, finishing fourth in the SEC—the most represented conference in the tournament—brings a top-heavy scoring attack to the matchup. Three players average double-digit points, with two of them ranking among the top 10 in the SEC in scoring. Ja’Kobi Gillespie leads the Volunteers, averaging 18.0 points per game and shooting 33.2% from three-point range. His 8.0 three-point attempts per game rank second in the league. Despite their strong regular-season finish, Tennessee’s underlying statistics are less impressive, and the team ended the season on an uneven note. The Volunteers will face the winner of the session’s first game—No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State—in the second round on Sunday.#virginia #smu_mustangs #tennessee_volunteers #wright_state #miami_redhawks
UVA basketball faces a unique challenge in the NCAA Tournament first round as they prepare to take on Wright State, a team that embodies a different kind of Cinderella story. Unlike previous underdog teams that have upset the Cavaliers, Wright State’s success stems from a blend of physicality, fundamentals, and strategic execution rather than relying solely on three-point shooting or unexpected runs. The No. 14 seed Raiders have proven their mettle by winning the Horizon League tournament, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the title game against Detroit Mercy. Their performance in the tournament included a 105-point outburst in the semifinals, showcasing their offensive firepower. Entering the matchup, Wright State boasts an overall record of 23-11 and a strong 15-5 mark in conference play. Their recent surge, with eight of 10 and 18 of 22 wins, highlights their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Wright State’s offensive capabilities are evident in their average of 80.5 points per game and a 48.9% field-goal shooting rate. Key contributors include Michael Cooper, who averages 13.3 points, and TJ Burch, who adds 11.8 points and 3.5 assists. The team’s three-point shooting, while not their primary focus, remains a threat, with Solomon Callaghan and Dominic Pangonis hitting 39.8% and 38.2% of their attempts, respectively. However, the Raiders’ success is not built on volume from beyond the arc. Instead, they prioritize physicality, shooting 36.1% from deep (49th nationally) and 54.5% from two-point range (74th), with only a third of their shots coming from three-point territory. This physical approach is anchored by their interior presence. Senior Michael Imariagbe, at 6-foot-7, averages 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 58.4% from the floor.#uva_basketball #wright_state #horizon_league #michael_cooper #tj_burch
