Michigan Wolverines, the third seed, clash with the Howard Bison in the NCAA Tournament's first round on March 19, 2026, at 7:10 PM ET in Buffalo, NY. Michigan, under head coach Dusty May, enters with a stellar 31-3 record after winning the Big Ten title. Howard, led by Kenneth Blakeney, boasts a 24-10 record, having secured their first tournament win after a MEAC Championship and a recent First Four victory. CBS will broadcast the game, with streaming available via Paramount+ and other platforms like FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV.

By the Numbers
  • Michigan holds a record of 31-3, while Howard is at 24-10.
  • According to prediction markets, Michigan has a 98% chance of winning, leaving Howard at just 2%.
State of Play
  • Michigan is the designated home team and enters with high expectations after a recent Big Ten Tournament loss.
  • Howard is riding a ten-game winning streak and momentum from their historic play-in victory.
What's Next

If Michigan secures a win, they will advance to the next round, maintaining their status as tournament favorites. On the other hand, an upset by Howard could lead to a surprising turnaround in their postseason narrative.

Bottom Line

Despite Howard's strong finish to the season, the overwhelming odds favor Michigan, highlighting their dominant season and high expectations entering the NCAA Tournament.