BUFFALO, N.Y. — No. 1 seed Michigan opens its NCAA Tournament first round Thursday against No. 16 seed Howard in a Midwest Region matchup at KeyBank Center. The Wolverines enter as one of the nation’s most efficient teams on both ends, while Howard arrives off its first‑ever NCAA Tournament win — a First Four victory over UMBC in Dayton.
Game Info
- Matchup: Howard vs. Michigan
- Region: Midwest Region
- Location: KeyBank Center — Buffalo, New York
- TV: CBS
- Tip Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Vegas Line: Michigan –30.5 (approx.)
- Over/Under: ~151.5 (approx.)
Howard Bison (16 Seed)
- Head Coach: Kenny Blakeney
- Mascot: Bison
- Record: 24–10 (2025–26)
- Conference Tournament Result: Won MEAC Tournament
- Leading Scorer: Bryce Harris — 17.1 PPG
- NCAA Tournament Path: Won First Four vs. UMBC
Metrics
- KenPom Ranking (Adjusted Efficiency): ~205th overall with stronger defense (129th) than offense (268th)
- NET Ranking: ~203rd (est.)
- Offensive Efficiency: ~268th nationally
- Defensive Efficiency: ~129th nationally
- 3‑Point %: ~35.0% team (Howard 3PT % from 2025–26)
Michigan Wolverines (1 Seed)
- Head Coach: Dusty May
- Mascot: Wolverines
- Record: 31–3 (2025–26)
- Conference Tournament Result: Big Ten regular‑season champion (lost in conference tourney final)
- Leading Scorer: Yaxel Lendeborg — ~14.6 PPG
Metrics
- KenPom Ranking (Adjusted Efficiency): Top 3 nationally, elite offense and defense
- NET Ranking: No. 1 nationally
- Offensive Efficiency: Top 10 nationally
- Defensive Efficiency: No. 1 nationally
- 3‑Point %: ~36.6% team
Matchup Analysis
Michigan enters with a historically strong analytical profile; the Wolverines rank among the nation’s very best in both offensive and defensive efficiency on KenPom and hold the No. 1 NET ranking following a dominant regular season in the Big Ten.
Howard’s profile is far more extreme: the Bison’s adjusted efficiency on KenPom sits well outside the top tier, but their defensive numbers are relatively better than their offense. Their pressure defense and turnover creation could provide occasional disruption, yet sustaining that against Michigan’s size and efficiency will be difficult.
Michigan’s ability to score efficiently in transition and from deep, combined with elite defense, sets up a significant mismatch. Meanwhile, Howard’s recent First Four win gives the Bison confidence and momentum, but their path to an upset requires a perfect shooting night and significant disruption.
Prediction
- Pick: Michigan advances
- Projected Score: Michigan 89, Howard 60
Michigan’s elite efficiency and size advantages align with the large Vegas spread. While Howard’s pressure defense and guard scoring can keep possessions competitive early, Michigan’s two‑way strength should carry it to a comfortable First Round victory. There won’t be an upset in this one.
