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Tonight, Thursday, March 19, the Michigan Wolverines will take the floor at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, as the top seed in the Midwest Region. Their opponent is the Howard Bison, a team that has already tasted victory in this tournament after surviving a grueling First Four matchup against UMBC in Dayton earlier this week.
While the seed gap suggests a blowout, Howard's unique style of play presents a specific set of challenges for the Big Ten champions.
How to Tune In
- Tip-off Time: 7:10 PM ET / 4:10 PM PT.
- TV Network: CBS.
- Live Stream: Paramount+ and NCAA March Madness Live.
- Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY.
Scouting the Wolverines: Size and Discipline
Michigan (31-3) has been the most consistent team in the country since January. Under coach Dusty May, the Wolverines play a disciplined, pro-style offense that prioritizes floor spacing and high-percentage looks. Their X-factor is the 7-foot-3 junior center Aday Mara, who won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Mara's ability to protect the rim while being a focal point of the offense makes Michigan nearly impossible to guard in the half-court. Supporting him are Yaxel Lendeborg (14.6 PPG) and Morez Johnson (13.1 PPG), forming perhaps the most athletic frontcourt in the nation.
Scouting the Bison: Speed and Second Chances
Howard (24-10) doesn't have the size to match Michigan, but they have the speed. The Bison don't start anyone taller than 6-foot-7, which allows them to play a "small-ball" style that can frustrate traditional big men.
Their leader, Bryce Harris (17.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG), is a versatile forward who can pull defenders away from the basket. Howard's greatest strength is their offensive rebounding; they rank in the 96th percentile nationally in second-chance points. If they can force Michigan's bigs into foul trouble by playing fast, they could make the Wolverines sweat.
Key Storylines and Prediction
The betting line sits at Michigan -30.5, reflecting the massive talent gap. However, Michigan has gone "Under" the total in 18 of their last 19 tournament games played at night, suggesting they prefer a slower, more methodical pace.
Howard's goal will be to turn this into a "track meet" and capitalize on Michigan's potential first-game jitters. If Michigan controls the glass and limits turnovers, they should advance comfortably to face the winner of the Ohio State vs. TCU matchup.