Three Bold Predictions Ahead of Michigan's First Game vs. Howard

The magic of March has officially descended upon the KeyBank Center. While the early session in Buffalo features the gritty mid-major battles that define the tournament’s first weekend, all eyes are fixed on tonight's matchup. At 7:10 p.m. ET, the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines (31-3) will take the floor against a Howard Bison (24-10) squad that is already riding the high of the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

Dusty May’s second year in Ann Arbor has been nothing short of a masterclass. After securing an outright Big Ten regular-season title with a record-breaking 19 conference wins, the Wolverines enter the Big Dance as one of the betting favorites to cut down the nets in April. However, they face a Howard team that just proved it belongs. Led by Kenneth Blakeney, the Bison survived a First Four thriller against UMBC in Dayton behind Bryce Harris’s 19 points and 14 rebounds.

While the "1 vs. 16" matchup historically favors the giants, the memory of 2018 (Virginia) and 2023 (Purdue) looms over every top seed. Michigan has the talent, but Howard has the momentum. Here are three bold predictions for tonight’s clash in Buffalo.

1. Aday Mara Sets a Michigan Tournament Block Record

The Bison are a relentless interior team, living off second-chance points and the physical play of Bryce Harris. However, they haven't seen a human skyscraper like Aday Mara this season. Standing at 7'3", the junior center has been a defensive revelation for Dusty May.

Howard’s offensive strategy often involves driving to draw contact, but Mara’s wingspan is a literal game-changer. Expect the Spaniard to be the ultimate deterrent at the rim. While the current Michigan single-game tournament record for blocks is five (held by Chris Webber and others), Mara is primed to eclipse that mark. Howard will likely test him early, and Mara will spend the night swatting away any hope of a Bison comeback.

2. Elliot Cadeau Flirts with a Triple-Double

Since transferring from North Carolina, Elliot Cadeau has become the engine of the Wolverines’ transition offense. Michigan ranks 11th nationally in scoring (86.8 PPG), and much of that comes from Cadeau’s ability to push the pace after a defensive rebound.

Howard’s perimeter defense struggled at times against UMBC’s speed, and Cadeau is a different breed of playmaker. With shooters like Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett flanking him, Cadeau will rack up assists in bunches. If he can stay aggressive on the glass against a smaller Howard backcourt, look for him to threaten a triple-double—a feat that would immediately put the rest of the Midwest Regional on notice.

3. The "Freshman Flurry": Trey McKenney Outscores the Bison Bench

While the starters get the headlines, Michigan’s depth is their true superpower. Freshman standout Trey McKenney has been a spark plug off the bench all season, averaging nearly 10 points per game. In a game where the spread is massive (Michigan -31.5), the bench will likely see significant second-half minutes.

McKenney is a physical guard who plays with a veteran’s composure. Against a Howard team that might be feeling the fatigue of a quick turnaround from Dayton, McKenney’s fresh legs will be a nightmare. Prediction: McKenney goes for 15+ points, single-handedly out-producing the entire Howard reserve unit as the Wolverines pull away.

Final Verdict

Howard is a fantastic story, and Kenneth Blakeney has built a legitimate powerhouse in the MEAC. They will play with heart, and Bryce Harris will likely have his moments of brilliance. But the talent gap, and specifically the size gap, is too wide to bridge. Michigan’s offensive efficiency is at a "Final Four" level right now, and their defensive rebounding will prevent Howard from getting the extra possessions they need to stay competitive.

Michigan will use the first ten minutes to shake off the rust from the Big Ten Tournament loss to Purdue before turning the KeyBank Center into a highlight reel.

Score Prediction: Michigan 92, Howard 60