The Howard Bison and Michigan Wolverines meet Thursday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Michigan vs. Howard Prediction. This article will include a Michigan vs. Howard Pick.
Howard Bison Betting Preview
The Howard Bison beat UMBC and NC Central. Howard has won 9 straight games.
The Howard Bison are averaging 80.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 70.4 points on 42 percent shooting. Bryce Harris is averaging 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, while Cedric Taylor III is averaging 17.1 points and 3.2 assists. Ose Okojie is the third double-digit scorer and Cam Gillus is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Howard Bison are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. The Howard Bison are allowing 29.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.6 rebounds per game.
Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview
The Michigan Wolverines beat Wisconsin and lost to Purdue. Michigan has won 17 of its last 19 games.
The Michigan Wolverines are averaging 88.5 points on 51 percent shooting and allowing 69.1 points on 38 percent shooting. Yaxel Lendeborg is averaging 14.6 points and 3.2 assists, while Morez Johnson Jr. is averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds. Aday Mara is the third double-digit scorer and Elliot Cadeau is grabbing 2.6 rebounds. The Michigan Wolverines are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent from the free throw line. The Michigan Wolverines are allowing 29.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Michigan Wolverines will win
- Michigan has won each of its last 21 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Howard has lost 15 of its last 17 Thursday games against non-Conference opponents.
- Michigan has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Why the Howard Bison will win
- Howard has won each of its last nine games.
- Howard has won the first half in eight of its last nine games.
Total Points Facts
- Eighteen of Michigan’s last 19 NCAA Tournament night games have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
- Five of Howard’s last six games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Michigan is one of only two teams to reach the Sweet 16 in each of its last five NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Michigan ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.0%).
- Howard ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.70).
- Howard ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.6).
Michigan vs Howard Prediction
Michigan obviously has the talent to blow the doors off here, but this is a lot of points for a team that’s down L.J. Cason and dealing with a banged-up Lendeborg. Howard has a tournament game under its belt, is riding a long winning streak and gets after it defensively with a full-court press.
Howard is a scrappy team that competes at both ends and is also 22-8 ATS on the season. Howard has been a money maker all season and should be able to keep this within the number as well, given Michigan’s injury report.