Best games in Miami history

Miami University athletics holds a storied history, both with its player and coach development in Oxford and with the RedHawks’ notable matchups from the past 150 years. Here are seven of the best games in Miami University history.

Men’s basketball at Marquette, 1978 (NCAA tournament)

The men’s basketball team dominated in the 1977-78 regular season, finishing the regular season at 19-9 and winning the MAC regular season title. The RedHawks earned a bid to that year’s NCAA tournament, where they matched up against Marquette University in the first round.

Marquette entered the tournament as the reigning national champions after downing the University of North Carolina 67-59 in 1977. The Golden Eagles had defeated Miami three times previously in the NCAA tournament dating back to 1955.

Despite this, Miami upset Marquette in the first round, winning 84-81 in overtime. Butch Lee contributed 27 points for the Golden Eagles, but John Shoemaker and Randy Ayers put up 20 points each to guide the RedHawks to the win.

Marquette held a 68-58 score with less than four minutes to go, but after Jermome Whitehead elbowed Shoemaker in the nose and was ejected, Miami swung the momentum in its direction and rallied to tie the game. Shoemaker came back to score six to keep Miami alive. The RedHawks later fell 91-69 to the University of Kentucky in the following round.

Football at LSU, 1986

In 1986, the Red and White traveled deep into the heart of the South to take on the No. 8 Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers in Baton Rouge. After defeating the top-ranked Texas A&M University Aggies, the Tigers were in for a trap with Miami.

Even though the LSU roster featured 16 future NFL players, the Tigers could not overcome the seven turnovers they gifted Miami. In front of 70,000 stunned fans, the visitors from Oxford won 21-12.

The Tigers clawed back with two field goals to close the gap to 14-6 with 10 minutes to go. However, one more Miami touchdown and a game-sealing interception in the final minutes allowed Miami to leave Death Valley with a win.

Men’s basketball vs. Utah, 1999 (NCAA tournament)

The University of Utah men’s basketball team was a monolith, making two consecutive Elite Eight appearances and equipped with First Team All-American Andre Miller. The Utes seemed destined for another tournament run, but what they did not prepare for was the lethal senior duo of John Estick and Wally Szczerbiak for Miami.

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Coming off a career high 43 in the previous game against the University of Washington, Szczerbiak continued to dominate, scoring 24 points and shooting a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line. Estick put on one of his career-best performances with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double in New Orleans. The RedHawks would shock the country with a 66-58 win to go through to the program's first Sweet 16.

Hockey vs. Michigan, 2003

Ranked teams rarely travel to Oxford to play the RedHawks, and the number of Miami victories is even fewer. However, in 2003, the No. 2 University of Michigan Wolverines entered Goggin Ice Arena unprepared for the contest ahead.

Senior forward Derek Edwardson would score five points, netting three goals in a career-high performance for Miami. The RedHawks would capitalize on four of five power play opportunities, making Michigan pay. Five goals in the third period allowed the RedHawks to stun the Wolverines with the final score of 8-3.

Women’s basketball vs. Ohio, 2008 (MAC Championship)

On the banks of Lake Erie, the Battle of the Bricks would rage with more than bragging rights on the line; both teams were fighting for a spot in the women’s NCAA basketball tournament.

Amanda Jackson continued to dominate in her impressive senior season, winning the MVP of the MAC Tournament after scoring 19 points in the championship game. Jenna Schone joined her with 19 as well, followed by 13 from Stephanie Ford.

The win would propel the RedHawks to their first NCAA tournament berth in program history.

Football at Cincinnati, 2023

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats held the Victory Bell for 18-straight years going into the 2023 matchup. And by the end of the fourth quarter, it looked like the bell would stay with Cincinnati.

With the game tied at 24-24, Miami forced a fourth down and anticipated a Cincinnati punt with four minutes remaining. However, the Bearcats faked a punt and converted to give them a fresh set of downs, which they used to set up a 35-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds left.

As Cincinnati kicker Carter Brown prepared for his attempt, Miami cornerback Yahsyn McKee screamed off the right side and swatted the ball down, sending the game into overtime and giving the RedHawks one more shot.

After Miami scored on its first possession in overtime, the Bearcats needed to find the endzone to keep the game going. On fourth-and-2, McKee saved the day once again with an interception in the endzone, sending the RedHawks back to Oxford with the Victory Bell for the first time since 2008.

Men’s basketball vs. Buffalo 2026

Before receiving its national recognition, the Miami men’s basketball team started making waves with its dominance in the early games of conference play this season.

Miami welcomed the University of Buffalo Bulls after winning its first 18 games of the regular season. The RedHawks not only extended their win streak once again, but they gained the spotlight from national networks with an overtime thriller.

Buffalo held an 88-85 advantage in the final seconds, but an Eian Elmer rebounded 3-pointer right before the buzzer sent the game into overtime. Peter Suder capped his 37-point performance with a last-second 3-pointer, putting the Bulls to sleep and Miami up 108-105 as Suder walked off with a “night-night” celebration.

babukc2@miamioh.edu

meneghcj@miamioh.edu