Michigan men's basketball is gearing up to face the Howard Bison in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The showdown is set for Thursday, March 19, with tip-off at 7:10 p.m. ET in Buffalo.
The Wolverines, entering as the No. 1 seed, have their sights set on the Final Four. Meanwhile, the Bison are riding high on a nine-game winning streak, including a crucial First Four victory over UMBC to secure their spot in the Round of 64.
Getting to Know Howard:
Howard University, a private, historically Black research institution, was founded in 1867 and is located in Washington, D.C. With an enrollment of about 14,500 students, the Bison compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and have made five NCAA Tournament appearances.
Scouting the Bison:
Howard enters this matchup with a 24-10 record, fresh off their First Four win over UMBC. Ranked No. 205 on KenPom, they present as one of the lower-ranked opponents Michigan has faced this season.
Despite having the No. 268-ranked offense, their defensive prowess is notable at No. 129.
Howard's strengths lie in offensive rebounding and drawing fouls. While they don't shoot particularly well, hitting less than 50% on twos, they excel at grabbing 36.4% of their missed shots and generating a quarter of their points from free throws. However, their offense struggles against tougher opponents, scoring only 0.76 points per possession against teams like Missouri, Duke, and Northwestern.
Defensively, Howard employs a full-court press to create turnovers, ranking among the best in the nation. Despite being one of the shortest teams, they effectively contest shots, holding Missouri, Duke, and Northwestern to 1.06 points per possession.
Key Players to Watch:
- Cam Gillus (PG, 5-11, 180): Known for his playmaking with a 26.4% assist rate, though he also carries a 23.2% turnover rate. Gillus is a threat from beyond the arc, shooting 36.7% from three.
- Alex Cotton (G/F, 6-5, 200): A sharpshooter who has taken 166 three-point attempts, hitting 38% of them.
He's less active inside, with only 37 attempts from two-point range.
- Ose Okojie (G/F, 6-5, 191): Coming off a career-high 23 points against UMBC, Okojie is a key contributor for the Bison.
- Bryce Harris (SF/PF, 6-4, 220): Howard's go-to player, leading in scoring and rebounding. Harris is versatile, shooting 39.2% from three, 51% on twos, and 78.1% from the line.
- Cedric Taylor (C, 6-7, 210): A Division II transfer, Taylor adds depth with his perimeter game and impressive free throw shooting at 81.5%.
Keeping him away from the rim will be crucial for Michigan.
Howard's Coach on Facing Michigan:
Head Coach Kenny Blakeney shared his thoughts on Michigan, expressing admiration for their size and speed, particularly in transition. He noted the Wolverines' impressive length and defensive capabilities, emphasizing the challenge but also the excitement of facing such a well-coached team.
Keys for Michigan:
- Control Transition Play: Howard thrives in transition, ranking in the 90th percentile for fast-break points. Michigan must slow them down and force the Bison into half-court sets to disrupt their rhythm.
- Dominate the Boards: With a significant size advantage, Michigan needs to capitalize on rebounds. Howard's aggressive offensive rebounding is a strength, but Michigan's taller lineup should control the glass and limit second-chance opportunities.
The stage is set for an exciting clash, with Michigan looking to assert their dominance and Howard aiming to continue their Cinderella run.