Michigan stampedes Howard in 2nd half for 101-80 win in March Madness
Michigan basketball's NCAA Tournament began with an early scare via 16-seed Howard in Buffalo, but Aday Mara helped Wolverines pull away in 2nd half.
BUFFALO, NY − Michigan basketball's March Madness book began Thursday, March 19. The rest is still unwritten. The Wolverines warmed up to Natasha Bedingfield's hit song prior to their first practice in Buffalo and it seemed like an internal message.
Michigan was a 31-point favorite over 16-seed Howard. Its offense looked the part of the 1-seed, but its defense did not at KeyBank Center. Still, a second-half barrage allowed Michigan to stampede over the Bison, 101-80 , to advance to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Saturday against either 8-seed Georgia or 9-seed Saint Louis.
Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points on 8-for-8 shooting and 10 rebounds, and Aday Mara collected 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks, as the Wolverines shot 67% and sunk 11 of 24 3s (46%). Nimari Burnett scored 15 and Roddy Gayle Jr.
added 14 points off the bench. It is Michigan's ninth game of scoring at least 100 points. Michigan outscored Howard, 51-34 in the second half.