Howard University to Face Michigan in March Madness

Bison secure first NCAA tournament win, set to take on Wolverines in first round

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:20am

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Howard University, a private HBCU located in Washington, D.C., is set to face off against the University of Michigan in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Bison secured their first-ever NCAA tournament win on Tuesday, defeating UMBC 86-83 in the First Four round. Despite their historic achievement, the 16-seed Bison are heavy underdogs against the 1-seed Wolverines, who have a long and successful history in the tournament.

Why it matters

This matchup represents a classic David vs. Goliath scenario in the NCAA Tournament, with the upstart Bison looking to pull off a massive upset against the powerhouse Wolverines program. Howard's appearance in the tournament is a significant milestone for the historically Black university, which is making its fifth tournament appearance but first-ever tournament win.

The details

The Bison, who play in the MEAC conference, went 11-2 in conference play this season. Head coach Kenneth Blakeney has led the team to the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons, a stark contrast to the program's history prior to his arrival. Michigan, on the other hand, is a perennial tournament contender, making its latest appearance as a 1-seed.

  • The first-round matchup between Howard and Michigan will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.
  • Howard secured its spot in the tournament by defeating UMBC 86-83 in the First Four round on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Kenneth Blakeney

Head coach of the Howard Bison men's basketball team, leading the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances in the past four seasons.

University of Michigan

A perennial powerhouse in college basketball, the Wolverines are making their latest NCAA Tournament appearance as a 1-seed.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winner of the Howard-Michigan matchup will advance to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game represents a significant milestone for Howard University, as the Bison look to pull off a historic upset against the powerhouse Wolverines program. While the odds may be stacked against them, Howard's appearance in the tournament and their first-ever tournament win showcase the growth and potential of the program under head coach Kenneth Blakeney.