The opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament includes a 16 vs 1-seed showdown as Michigan takes on Howard on Thursday. Michigan enters with one of the nation’s most complete teams, while Howard arrives riding a wave of confidence after a First Four victory. The contrast in size, efficiency, and depth makes this an intriguing handicap despite the lopsided expectations. Here, I break down this matchup and make my Howard vs Michigan prediction in the betting markets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uZSInfK0xs
Michigan enters the tournament as a No. 1 seed with a dominant 31-3 record and one of the best scoring margins in the country at +17.6 per game. The Wolverines combine a top-tier defense with an efficient offense, making them one of the most balanced teams in the field. They have shown the ability to overwhelm weaker opponents, with multiple wins by 40 or more points this season.
Howard, meanwhile, already has a tournament win under its belt after defeating UMBC 86-83 in the First Four. That victory extended the Bison’s winning streak to 9 games and showcased their offensive firepower and composure late in close games. However, stepping up in class against a Big Ten powerhouse presents a much different test.
Michigan Wolverines
Howard Bison
Stat | Howard | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 77.7 | 86.8 |
Points allowed per game | 68.2 | 69.2 |
Team Field Goal % | 46% | 51% |
Rebounds per game | 36.6 | 40.0 |
Assists per game | 16.1 | 18.5 |
Michigan clearly holds major advantages in size, efficiency, and depth, and the Wolverines should control this game from the opening tip. Their ability to defend at a high level while scoring efficiently inside and out makes them a difficult opponent for any team, let alone a No. 16 seed stepping up in class. A comfortable win is the most likely outcome, and my projections suggest that Michigan is a strong candidate to cover the spread as a huge favorite, even if the current number is daunting to some bettors.
Affiliate DisclosureATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.