All things going swimmingly for Miami at UD Arena

With 13:37 left to go in the last NCAA First Four game of 2026, SMU’s Corey Washington stepped to the line for two foul shots, hoping to put his team ahead.

He wasn’t prepared for a shirtless wave of swim caps and Speedos.

More than 20 members of Miami’s swimming and diving team rushed down the stairs and found their way to the seats behind the basket at University of Dayton Arena, where March Madness begins. Their team uniforms provided a significant distraction for SMU, as did the noise.

Washington missed the first shot. The arena of Miami fans erupted.

While Washington made the next one to tie the game at 50, the momentum from the swimmers and divers seemed to provide the boost the RedHawks needed to take control. They went on a 13-0 run on their way to an 89-79 victory, punching their ticket in Dayton to the next round of the NCAA tournament.

The swimming and diving team members have been among the RedHawks’ biggest boosters during their near-perfect basketball season. The RedHawks went 31-0 before losing in the Mid-American Conference tournament but earned an at-large NCAA Tournament bid and landed in the First Four.

“We wanted to be behind the court for the best effect — we couldn’t get that done — but we still really wanted to make it here to support our guys. They’re phenomenal, we love watching them.”

That might have been a gift for Miami fans and students, as the Oxford, Ohio, campus is barely an hour away. Wednesday night, UD Arena hosted Miami swimmers and divers; a streamer named Tiki who vowed not to wash the red paint off his chest until Miami loses; Dayton native, Miami and NBA legend Ron Harper; Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine; and thousands more RedHawks fans. UD’s ability to attract fans and create a great basketball atmosphere is one of the reasons that, every year since 2001, the NCAA men's basketball tournament has started at University of Dayton Arena.

“We obviously knew we were coming here, but we couldn’t figure out how to get tickets and coordinate it,” said swimmer Ian Wihebrink. “We wanted to be behind the court for the best effect— we couldn’t get that done — but we still really wanted to make it here to support our guys. They’re phenomenal; we love watching them.”

They also praised alumni who helped them get tickets.

“Shout-out to the sponsors,” said swimmer Owen Fowler. “Some dude called us out of nowhere and said ‘Hey, y’all want like 20 tickets?’ That was awesome.”

With tickets secured, the team members came up with their plan to get together after halftime and rush to the lower level behind the basket. They told ushers about their plan as well — they said they didn’t want to get in any trouble in the process.

As the men’s basketball team prepares for their next game Friday against Tennessee, the swimmers and divers are ready for another road trip. Philadelphia isn’t as close as Dayton, of course, but the swimmers and divers vow to be there, Speedos and all.

Photos provided by Shannon Miller.