Howard Bison to Face UMBC in NCAA Tournament First 4

The Howard men's basketball team earns third NCAA Tournament bid in four years.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:37am

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The Howard Bison men's basketball team has earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, their third appearance in the last four years. They will face the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers in the First 4 round, which will be played in Dayton, Ohio.

Why it matters

Howard's return to the NCAA Tournament is a significant achievement for the program, showcasing their consistent success and competitiveness at the Division I level. The First 4 matchup against UMBC will be an exciting start to the tournament for both teams as they vie for a spot in the main bracket.

The details

The Howard Bison earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship. This will be their third tournament appearance in the last four seasons, a testament to the program's growth under the leadership of the coaching staff and players.

  • The First 4 game between Howard and UMBC will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Howard last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

The players

Howard Bison

The men's basketball team representing Howard University, a historically Black university located in Washington, D.C.

UMBC Retrievers

The men's basketball team representing the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a public research university located in Baltimore, Maryland.

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What’s next

The winner of the Howard-UMBC First 4 matchup will advance to the main NCAA Tournament bracket, where they will face one of the top-seeded teams.

The takeaway

Howard's return to the NCAA Tournament is a testament to the program's consistent success and growth, and the First 4 matchup against UMBC will be an exciting start to the tournament for both teams as they compete for a spot in the main bracket.