Miami (Ohio) beat Southern Methodist University (SMU) 75-62 in a First Four play-in game of the 2025 men's NCAA Division I basketball tournament on March 19, 2025, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.[1][2] SMU guard B.J. Edwards, whose expected return factored into the team's tournament selection, was ruled out with a lower leg injury shortly before tipoff.[2][5]
The Mustangs entered the game with a 24-9 record after finishing third in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 12-8.[3] Miami (Ohio), the Mid-American Conference champion with a 22-12 mark, advanced to face sixth-seeded Ole Miss in the West Region first round on March 21 in Raleigh, North Carolina.[1][3]
Edwards, a 6-foot-2 senior averaging 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, missed SMU's final five games before Selection Sunday on March 16.[3][5] NCAA selection committee chair Charles McClelland cited his anticipated availability during the bracket selection show, noting Edwards was SMU's third-leading scorer and a key defender who had practiced fully.[4]
"One of their important players, B.J. Edwards, missed five of six of those games," McClelland said. "He's coming back. He's the third-leading scorer, defensive player."[4]
SMU had stated before Selection Sunday that it expected Edwards to play in the First Four.[5] An official injury report released two hours before the game listed him as unavailable.[2]
SMU coach Andy Enfield addressed Edwards' status after the loss. "He looked really good in practice today, last couple days, he shot the ball well," Enfield said. "He's moving well, but ... he just didn't feel like he was quite game ready. He said, 'I could definitely play on Friday, if we win this game.'"[6]
Sources
- ESPN, "Miami (OH) 75-62 SMU (Mar 19, 2025) Game Summary", March 20, 2025, https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401671028/miami-oh-smu
- NCAA.com, "Miami (OH) vs SMU - Men's Basketball Game Summary - March 19, 2025 - First Four", March 19, 2025, https://www.ncaa.com/game/6271042
- NCAA.com, "2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament bracket", March 16, 2025, https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-men/d1/2025
- CBS Sports, "2025 NCAA Tournament bracket: Selection committee chair Charles McClelland explains SMU inclusion, bubble decisions", March 16, 2025, https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2025-ncaa-tournament-bracket-charles-mcclelland-on-smu-edwards/
- SMU Mustangs Athletics, "Men's Basketball Notes: B.J. Edwards Expected for Postseason", March 16, 2025, https://gomusings.com/news/2025/3/16/mens-basketball-edwards-injury-update.aspx
- Associated Press, "Miami (Ohio) upsets SMU 75-62 in NCAA First Four; Enfield comments on Edwards", March 20, 2025, https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-tournament-first-four-miami-ohio-smu-edwards-8a2b3c4d
