North Carolina Central vs Howard Prediction 3/14/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The North Carolina Central Eagles and Howard Bison meet Saturday in the college basketball MEAC Final at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Here’s a North Carolina Central vs. Howard prediction. This article will include a North Carolina Central vs. Howard pick.

North Carolina Central Eagles Betting Preview

The North Carolina Central Eagles beat Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State. NC Central has won 4 of its last 5 games.

The North Carolina Central Eagles are averaging 74.8 points on 43.9 percent shooting and allowing 79.1 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Gage Lattimore is averaging 17.2 points and 4 rebounds, while Khouri Carvey is averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Jae Slack is the third double-digit scorer and Dionte Johnson is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The North Carolina Central Eagles are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 72.3 percent from the free throw line. The North Carolina Central Eagles are allowing 36.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.8 rebounds per game.

Howard Bison Betting Preview

The Howard Bison beat Norfolk State and South Carolina State. Howard has won 7 straight games.

The Howard Bison are averaging 78.4 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 71.2 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Bryce Harris is averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Cedric Taylor III is averaging 17 points and 3.3 assists. Cam Gillus is dishing 4.3 assists and Ose Okojie is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The Howard Bison are shooting 33.5 percent from beyond the arc and 72.6 percent from the free throw line. The Howard Bison are allowing 31.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Howard Bison will win

• Howard has won each of its last 10 games against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
• North Carolina Central has lost four of its last five day games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina Central has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against conference opponents.

Why the North Carolina Central Eagles will win

• North Carolina Central has won four of its last five games against conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Five of North Carolina Central’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 154+ points.
• Four of the last five day games between North Carolina Central and Howard have produced a total of 152+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Howard ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (10.5).
• Howard ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.6%).

North Carolina Central vs Howard Prediction

I don’t love laying this massive line in a championship game, but North Carolina Central has had issues stringing together wins and I doubt that changes with them playing their third game in three days. Howard blasted North Carolina Central twice already this season. Howard is also 21-7 ATS on the season. Give NC Central credit for making it this far but there’s been a clear-cut favorite in the MEAC this season and that’s Howard, a team that also cashes tickets hand over fist. I have to lay the number with the Bison.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Howard -11.5