Howard vs Michigan Prediction 3/19/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Howard Bison and the Michigan Wolverines meet Thursday in college basketball action from the KeyBank Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Howard Bison vs. Michigan Wolverines prediction.

Howard Bison Recap

The Howard Bison come into this game looking to add on to their 86-83 win over UMBC in the first four last time out.

Bison Looking For Rare 16-1 Upset

Bryce Harris leads Howard in scoring and rebounding with 17.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG along with 2.5 APG while Cedric Taylor III has 17 PPG with 6.7 RPG and 3.2 APG. Ose Okojie has 10.8 PPG with 3.8 RPG and Cam Gillus has 10.5 PPG with 4.3 RPG and a team-high 4.7 APG to lead Howard in assists and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Howard so far this season. Travelle Bryson has 8.9 PPG with 3.4 RPG and Alex Cotton has 8.6 PPG with 3.1 RPG as well this season. As a team, Howard is averaging 77.5 PPG on 45.9% shooting from the field, 34.5% from three and 73.1% from the foul line this season.

Michigan Wolverines Recap

The Michigan Wolverines come into the NCAA tournament as a 1-seed out of the Big Ten, finishing the year at 31-3 this season. 

Wolverines Looking For Second Straight First Round Win Under May

Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Wolverines in scoring with 14.6 PPG along with 7 RPG and 3.2 APG while Morez Johnson Jr. has 13.1 PPG with 7.2 RPG. Elliot Cadeau has 10.2 PPG with 2.6 RPG and a team-high 5.6 APG to lead Michigan in assists and Aday Mara has 11.6 PPG with 6.9 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Michigan so far this season. Trey McKenney has 9.6 PPG with 2.6 RPG so far this season. As a team, Michigan is averaging 86.8 PPG on 50.5% shooting from the field, 36% from three and 74.7% from the foul line this season.

Howard Bison @ Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends: March 19, 2026

Why the Michigan Wolverines will win

• Michigan has won each of its last 21 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Howard has lost 15 of its last 17 Thursday games against non-Conference opponents.
• Michigan has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Why the Howard Bison will win

• Howard has won each of its last nine games.
• Howard has won the first half in eight of its last nine games.

Total Points Facts

• Eighteen of Michigan’s last 19 NCAA Tournament night games have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
• Five of Howard’s last six games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Michigan is one of only two teams to reach the Sweet 16 in each of its last five NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Michigan ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.0%).
• Howard ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent assist to turnover ratio this season (0.70).
• Howard ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.6).

Howard Bison vs. Michigan Wolverines Prediction

I’m on Michigan in this one. I just think that Michigan is heads and shoulders the better team here and we’ve seen Michigan take it to good teams, let alone the teams they’ve gone up against that are inferior. I know Michigan has bigger fish to fry than to blow out Howard, but I think the Wolverines smash here. Give me Michigan.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Michigan -30.5