No. 1 Michigan outshoots Howard in high-scoring win

Wolverines advance to second round of NCAA Tournament

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:35am

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Morez Johnson Jr. scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and No. 1 seed Michigan pulled away for a 101-80 win over No. 16 Howard in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night in Buffalo, N.Y. Aday Mara added 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting for Michigan, which advanced to the second round for the second season in a row.

Why it matters

Michigan, the top seed in the Midwest Region, is looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament after a strong regular season. Howard, the No. 16 seed, was seeking its first-ever NCAA Tournament win.

The details

The Wolverines shot 67.3% on the night (37 of 55) and outscored Howard 51-34 in the second half to secure the victory. A 12-1 run in the second half gave Michigan a double-digit lead for good. Bryce Harris and Cam Gillus scored 21 points apiece to lead Howard.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 20, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.

The players

Morez Johnson Jr.

A Michigan player who scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.

Aday Mara

A Michigan player who scored 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Bryce Harris

A Howard player who scored 21 points in the loss.

Cam Gillus

A Howard player who scored 21 points in the loss.

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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

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Michigan will face the winner of Thursday night's game between No. 8 seed Georgia and No. 9 seed Saint Louis in the second round.

The takeaway

Michigan, the top seed in the Midwest Region, proved its offensive firepower by outscoring Howard 101-80 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines will look to continue their strong play as they advance deeper into the tournament.