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James Hawkins of The Detroit News breaks down Michigan's first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament and predicts the outcome:
Michigan will get the winner of Tuesday’s First Four matchup between UMBC and Howard in Thursday’s first-round game in Buffalo, New York. Here’s a quick look at both possible opponents.
➤UMBC: UMBC swept the America East Conference regular-season and tournament titles to reach the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history and first time since 2018, when the Retrievers famously upset Virginia and became the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed. UMBC is led by an upperclassmen trio of Jah’Likai King (13.9 points), DJ Armstrong (13.2 points) and Ace Valentine (12 points) and is riding a 12-game win streak. However, the Retrievers don’t have much size, with only one player taller than 6-foot-8, and they went a combined 0-5 in their Quad 1, 2 and 3 games, with their best wins coming against a Vermont team that ranks No. 240 on KenPom.
➤Howard: Howard is back in the Big Dance for the third time in four seasons under coach Kenny Blakeney and is still searching for its first March Madness win. The Bison captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season and conference tournament titles for the fourth time in program history. Howard is led by Bryce Harris, the MEAC Player of the Year, and Cedric Taylor III, the league’s best defender. The Bison force a ton of turnovers but turn it over a bunch, too. They ended the regular season No. 203 in the NET rankings and had one win against a team ranked higher than No. 220 on KenPom in UNC Wilmington (No. 110).
More: Who will Michigan basketball play? Here's a look at UMBC and Howard
➤Prediction: It likely won’t matter much who Michigan ends up facing, considering UMBC and Howard both don’t have the size to stack up with the Wolverines. And neither team takes or makes a bunch of 3-pointers, which is usually needed for any chance of a No. 1 vs. No. 16 upset. Expect Michigan to overwhelm either opponent and cruise to a comfortable 20-point win.
➤MICHIGAN TICKETS:Buy Michigan basketball tickets for March Madness
➤BRACKET CHALLENGE: Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!
➤SURVIVOR POOL: Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today!
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan prediction for Round 1 of 2026 NCAA bracket
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Michigan vs. UMBC or Howard scouting report, prediction
Michigan will get the winner of Tuesday’s First Four matchup between UMBC and Howard in Thursday’s first-round game in Buffalo, New York. Here’s a quick look at both possible opponents.
➤UMBC: UMBC swept the America East Conference regular-season and tournament titles to reach the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history and first time since 2018, when the Retrievers famously upset Virginia and became the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed. UMBC is led by an upperclassmen trio of Jah’Likai King (13.9 points), DJ Armstrong (13.2 points) and Ace Valentine (12 points) and is riding a 12-game win streak. However, the Retrievers don’t have much size, with only one player taller than 6-foot-8, and they went a combined 0-5 in their Quad 1, 2 and 3 games, with their best wins coming against a Vermont team that ranks No. 240 on KenPom.
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➤Howard: Howard is back in the Big Dance for the third time in four seasons under coach Kenny Blakeney and is still searching for its first March Madness win. The Bison captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season and conference tournament titles for the fourth time in program history. Howard is led by Bryce Harris, the MEAC Player of the Year, and Cedric Taylor III, the league’s best defender. The Bison force a ton of turnovers but turn it over a bunch, too. They ended the regular season No. 203 in the NET rankings and had one win against a team ranked higher than No. 220 on KenPom in UNC Wilmington (No. 110).
More: Who will Michigan basketball play? Here's a look at UMBC and Howard
➤Prediction: It likely won’t matter much who Michigan ends up facing, considering UMBC and Howard both don’t have the size to stack up with the Wolverines. And neither team takes or makes a bunch of 3-pointers, which is usually needed for any chance of a No. 1 vs. No. 16 upset. Expect Michigan to overwhelm either opponent and cruise to a comfortable 20-point win.
➤MICHIGAN TICKETS:Buy Michigan basketball tickets for March Madness
➤BRACKET CHALLENGE: Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!
➤SURVIVOR POOL: Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today!
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan prediction for Round 1 of 2026 NCAA bracket
Continue reading...
