No. 1 Michigan gets a warm-up game for the 2026 NCAA Tournament against No. 16 Howard on Thursday night.
Howard is facing an enormous talent gap, and will also find itself with some serious matchup issues.
My Howard vs. Michigan predictions and March Madness picks tell you why the Bison are doomed on March 19.
Howard vs Michigan prediction
Who will win Howard vs Michigan?
Michigan. The Maize and Blue are at no risk of losing this game, so I’ll use this space to say that, according to Kenpom adjusted efficiency, this is the strongest batch of one-seeds ever in an NCAA Tournament. That accomplishment surpasses last season's, adding credence to the theory of the gap increasing in the NIL era.
Howard vs Michigan best bet: Michigan team total Over 90.5 (-120)
I fear for the Howard Bison in this matchup.
Howard’s opponents draw an average free-throw rate of 38.5%, which is one of the highest in the field.
The Michigan Wolverines have yet to play a team with a number that high, and you have to legitimately worry about the twin-tower combo of Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara fouling out the entire Bison frontcourt.
In addition, Howard's rim defense ranked at the Bottom 37% of the sport in games against Top 100 opponents this season.
These are massive red flags. I’d play this to 92.5.
COVERS INTEL: Howard’s turnover rate of 19.5% is the lowest in the field. The closest opponent Michigan faced this season in turnover rate was rival Michigan State, against which it went 2-0.
Howard vs Michigan same-game parlay
Lendeborg has gone over this 3-point number in four of his last five games, while his volume has steadily increased at the end of the season. This jumps off the page because of the issues that Howard has had defending pick-and-pops.
They’ve allowed over a point per possession on such sets, ranking in the Bottom 24% of the country. Lendeborg is the primary option on such sets.
Howard vs Michigan SGP
- Michigan team total Over 90.5
- Yaxel Lendeborg Over 1.5 threes
Our Big Dance SGP: Not all bad news for Bison
Elliot Cadeau can eclipse his assist total in numerous ways, but given that a good portion of this could be played in transition, you have to love him on the open floor to find scorers.
Aday Mara exceeding his points total directly ties into my best bet. I expect the Wolverines to rack up the foul numbers on Howard, and he’s the one most likely to profit from that.
Finally, we have Bryce Harris. Someone has to score for Howard, and if there’s an area the Bison can attack, it’s in transition. That’s when Harris is at his best.
Howard vs Michigan SGP
- Yaxel Lendeborg Over 1.5 threes
- Elliot Cadeau Over 6.5 assists
- Aday Mara Over 14.5 points
- Bryce Harris Over 13.5 points
Howard vs Michigan odds
- Spread: Howard +31 | Michigan -31
- Moneyline: Howard +3300 | Michigan -100000
- Over/Under: Over 150.5 | Under 150.5
Howard vs Michigan betting trend to know
Michigan has hit the Moneyline in 17 of their last 19 games (+13.00 Units / 4% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Howard vs. Michigan.
How to watch Howard vs Michigan
| Location | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Howard vs Michigan key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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