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BUFFALO, NY − Michigan basketball's March Madness book began Thursday, March 19. The rest is still unwritten.
The Wolverines warmed up to Natasha Bedingfield's hit song prior to their first practice in Buffalo and it seemed like an internal message.
Michigan was a 31-point favorite over 16-seed Howard. Its offense looked the part of the 1-seed, but its defense did not at KeyBank Center. Still, a second-half barrage allowed Michigan to stampede over the Bison, 101-80 to advance to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Saturday against either 8-seed Georgia or 9-seed Saint Louis.
Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points on 8-for-8 shooting and 10 rebounds, and Aday Mara collected 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks, as the Wolverines shot 67% and sunk 11 of 24 3s (46%). Nimari Burnett scored 15 and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 14 points off the bench.
It is Michigan's ninth game of scoring at least 100 points. Michigan outscored Howard, 51-34 in the second half.
READ MORE: Michigan's big men give it a high floor, guards will determine ceiling
Michigan led by as much as 11 in the first half, but Howard answered every Michigan 3 with one of its own, canning 10 of 16 attempts to Michigan's 7 of 13. Michigan shot 10 of 13 on 2s for 65% shooting overall.
The Wolverines will play the winner of Thursday's nightcap between 8-seed Georgia and 9-seed Saint Louis on Saturday in the second round in Buffalo, with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16 at United Center in Chicago − where Michigan just played in the Big Ten Tournament, losing Sunday to Purdue in the championship.
This story will be updated shortly.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball stampedes Howard in March Madness first round
Continue reading...
The Wolverines warmed up to Natasha Bedingfield's hit song prior to their first practice in Buffalo and it seemed like an internal message.
Michigan was a 31-point favorite over 16-seed Howard. Its offense looked the part of the 1-seed, but its defense did not at KeyBank Center. Still, a second-half barrage allowed Michigan to stampede over the Bison, 101-80 to advance to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Saturday against either 8-seed Georgia or 9-seed Saint Louis.
Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points on 8-for-8 shooting and 10 rebounds, and Aday Mara collected 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks, as the Wolverines shot 67% and sunk 11 of 24 3s (46%). Nimari Burnett scored 15 and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 14 points off the bench.
It is Michigan's ninth game of scoring at least 100 points. Michigan outscored Howard, 51-34 in the second half.
READ MORE: Michigan's big men give it a high floor, guards will determine ceiling
Michigan led by as much as 11 in the first half, but Howard answered every Michigan 3 with one of its own, canning 10 of 16 attempts to Michigan's 7 of 13. Michigan shot 10 of 13 on 2s for 65% shooting overall.
Michigan's next game in NCAA Tournament
The Wolverines will play the winner of Thursday's nightcap between 8-seed Georgia and 9-seed Saint Louis on Saturday in the second round in Buffalo, with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16 at United Center in Chicago − where Michigan just played in the Big Ten Tournament, losing Sunday to Purdue in the championship.
This story will be updated shortly.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball stampedes Howard in March Madness first round
Continue reading...
