In the No. 1 vs. No. 16 matchup in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region, Michigan vs. Howard is the first-round game at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19 with a trip to second round on the line.

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How to Watch Michigan vs. Howard

When: 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 17th

Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

Watch: CBS

Odds for Michigan vs. Howard

(odds current at time of publish)

Spread: Michigan -31.5 (-110), Howard +31.5 (-110)

Total: Over 151.5 (-110), Under 151.5 (-110)

Michigan vs. Howard Prediction & Preview

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If the first game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament was an indication of what we have in store, it’s going to be a very fun few weeks. Howard prevailed 86-83 over UMBC to pick up the first postseason win of any kind in program history, and that First Four triumph in Dayton put the Bison on a plane to Buffalo for a first-round matchup against heavily-favored Michigan.

The keys to winning in the NCAA Tournament are the same as they’ve always been. You need guards that can handle pressure, wings that can both shoot and create, and a big that can protect the rim and control the glass. In this matchup, Michigan checks all of those boxes in a way that Howard simply hasn’t seen very often this season.

Michigan brings a complete roster into this game with Elliot Cadeau running the show, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. providing versatility on the wings, and Aday Mara anchoring the paint. Mara’s 80% shooting at the rim and elite block rate give the Wolverines a true interior presence, which is something that could loom large against a Howard team that has struggled to finish consistently inside.

As good as Michigan’s offense can be, the defense has really been the story. The Wolverines have spent most of the season inside the top five in adjusted defensive efficiency, suffocating opponents with elite shot suppression. They rank near the top nationally in eFG% defense and have been excellent at limiting both 2-point and 3-point success, which is particularly noteworthy given the strength of the Big Ten as an offensive league. This is a group that has already proven its ceiling many times over.

Howard, on the other hand, comes into this game playing its best basketball under Kenny Blakeney. While the overall resume is modest, this is a significantly improved defensive team compared to past versions. The Bison rank inside the top 125 in adjusted defensive efficiency and have leaned heavily on forcing turnovers, doing so at a rate north of 21%. That pressure has been effective even outside of MEAC play, giving them at least one pathway to hang around in this game.

The question is whether that defensive success translates against a team like Michigan. The Wolverines don’t turn the ball over at a high rate, and if they’re able to handle Howard’s pressure, the matchup starts to tilt quickly. Howard’s strong eFG% and 3P% defense numbers are at least partially inflated by conference play, and when stepping up in class, both the defensive resistance and offensive efficiency have taken noticeable hits.

Offensively, Howard does have some intrigue with its ability to knock down 3s, but the lack of interior scoring and ball security issues are concerning in this matchup. Michigan’s ability to contest shots without fouling and control the paint could force the Bison into a heavy dose of contested perimeter looks, which is not a recipe for sustained success against an elite defense.

Ultimately, Howard could be more competitive than its previous NCAA Tournament appearances, losing to Kansas by 28 back in 2023, but this is a tough draw. Michigan’s balance, defensive consistency, and proven ability against high-level competition give them clear edges across the board. The biggest thing to watch is whether Howard can create chaos with turnovers early and generate enough extra possessions to stay within striking distance, because in a clean game, Michigan has too many answers.

Estimated Score: Coming soon.

For expert predictions, go to our college basketball best bets page.

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