The first spherical of the 2026 males’s NCAA event has had slightly little bit of every part: upsets, blowouts and large performances from the sport’s brightest stars.
Here is ESPN’s guide to all 16 first-round video games from Day 1, full with evaluation from on-site reporters of how every sport was gained, and our specialists’ takes on every winner’s possibilities to advance to the Sweet 16.
Jump to: Relive the day
How VCU gained: The Rams completed a ridiculous comeback, erasing a 19-point second-half deficit to knock off North Carolina in additional time. Terrence Hill Jr. was electrical, connecting on 5 of VCU’s final six baskets, together with a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in additional time that successfully sealed the sport. Hill had 34 factors, 5 assists and 5 boards. It was an epic collapse for the Tar Heels, who missed their ultimate 9 photographs, botched a pair of vital free throws in additional time and, after main by 19 with 14:58 to play, linked on simply seven of 25 photographs. Per ESPN Research, the Rams’ 19-point comeback is tied for the biggest within the spherical of 64 for the reason that event expanded in 1985 — together with South Alabama towards Alabama in 1989. — David Hale
VCU’s second-round opponent: Illinois
How the Rams can advance to the Sweet 16: Phil Martelli Jr.’s squad can advance previous Illinois if Terrence Hill Jr. performs the function of Superman once more and his teammates make use of the identical resilience — on offense and protection — they demonstrated within the ultimate 10 minutes of regulation on Thursday. The key’s they’re going to have to do it for 40 minutes towards Illinois on Saturday. The Rams scored at a clip of 138 factors per 100 possessions within the second half earlier than they pressured additional time towards the Tar Heels. But the 19-point deficit the Rams had to overcome might flip right into a 40-point drawback towards an Illinois squad with the perfect offense within the nation. They cannot let that occur. They’ll additionally want Lazar Djokovic (15 factors, 2 blocks) to put up large numbers, too, as they try to stall the Illinois offensive machine. — Myron Medcalf
How Duke gained: No. 1 total seed Duke advances to the spherical of 32. That should not come as a lot of a shock, however Siena actually did all it might to make issues attention-grabbing, taking the Blue Devils to the restrict earlier than falling 71-65. The Saints led by 11 on the half and did not give up the lead till the 5:08 mark, however their starters performed with no substitution till the ultimate 90 seconds of motion. And by late within the second half, it confirmed. Siena shot simply 8-of-34 from the ground over the ultimate 20 minutes, permitting the Blue Devils to claw their manner again into the sport. Cameron Boozer had 22 factors and 13 boards to lead the Blue Devils, whereas his brother Cayden added 19. — David Hale
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TCU set to face Duke in 2nd spherical of NCAA event
Check out a few of the greatest highlights from TCU and Duke forward of their spherical of 32 matchup within the NCAA event.
Duke’s second-round opponent: TCU
How the Blue Devils can advance to the Sweet 16: Well, it will assist in the event that they confirmed up just like the staff that dominated within the second half towards Siena — and never the model that performed within the first half, when it was down by double digits. Duke’s offensive rhythm was clearly disrupted with out Caleb Foster, its greatest 3-point shooter (40.2%), and the Blue Devils’ protection was weaker than anticipated with Patrick Ngongba II out due to harm, too. In the second half, nevertheless, the Blue Devils turned to a zone and performed with a special defensive depth. They’ll advance if they’ve the identical mojo towards TCU. Isaiah Evans was a headache for Siena on quick breaks and off the dribble after halftime; Duke has to do more to put him ready to affect the sport. Cameron Boozer was 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Good protection, Evans making performs and Boozer being Boozer are the keys to Duke shifting on. — Myron Medcalf
How High Point gained: Wisconsin jumped out to a 15-5 lead over High Point inside 5 minutes — however the Panthers did not let that final lengthy. They put collectively a 7-0 run to lower the lead to 15-12 and performed the Badgers shut, getting into the half down solely two factors. Wisconsin constructed one other eight-point lead with 7:08 to play, however High Point outscored the Badgers 18-12 to shut out this system’s first NCAA event win on a go-ahead layup from Chase Johnston — his first 2-point area aim of the season. Johnson entered the sport 0-for-4 from 2-point vary, incomes most of his buckets from past the arc on 64-of-132 capturing from 3 on the season. Three Panthers gamers completed with double-doubles: Rob Martin (23 factors, 10 assists); Terry Anderson (15 factors, 11 rebounds); and Cam’Ron Fletcher (14 factors, 11 rebounds). — ESPN employees
High Point’s second-round opponent: Arkansas
How the Panthers can advance to the Sweet 16: High Point has gained 23 of its previous 24 video games and simply beat Wisconsin whereas enjoying a run-and-gun up-tempo affair — do not depend the Panthers out towards Arkansas. They will not be afraid of the tempo battle, though they’re going to have to discover a manner to sluggish Darius Acuff Jr. and backcourt accomplice Meleek Thomas. Both are tough to preserve from getting to their spots, and High Point simply allowed Nick Boyd and John Blackwell to mix for 49 factors within the win over the Badgers. Where High Point might have some success is on the different finish of the ground. Arkansas is strong defensively, however susceptible to off ball and rotation lapses, and High Point will look to stand up and down the ground and take 3s. A repeat 15-for-40 3-point capturing effort can be good, too. — Jeff Borzello
How TCU gained: The Horned Frogs led by 15 on the half, trying poised to cruise into the second spherical; groups with halftime leads of 15 or more factors have been an ideal 34-0 over the earlier three tournaments, in accordance to ESPN Research. But the Buckeyes had no real interest in happening with no battle, climbing all the way in which again to take a 51-50 lead on the 7:24 mark. The two groups traded blows the remainder of the way in which — till a nifty dish from David Punch to Xavier Edmonds with 4 seconds to play proved the distinction in a TCU victory. Punch was the late-game hero for the Horned Frogs, racking up 13 of his 16 factors, seven of his 13 rebounds and two assists within the second half to preserve his staff dancing. — David Hale
TCU’s second-round opponent: Duke
How the Horned Frogs can advance to the Sweet 16: Siena grew to become the primary 16-seed to maintain a double-digit halftime lead over a 1-seed in NCAA event historical past, per ESPN Research, due to its early dominance within the paint. Francis Folefac, a 6-foot-7 ahead, was the anchor of a Saints squad that scored 22 factors within the paint within the first half towards the Blue Devils. That has to be the blueprint for TCU, too. The Blue Devils have been susceptible inside with out Patrick Ngongba II, their greatest defensive participant who will not be out there for the second spherical. That’s how the Horned Frogs can win, attacking inside and defending the rim towards Boozer & Co. They will even want 3s to fall once more (39% towards Ohio State), which solely occurred every so often throughout the season after they have been fifteenth out of 16 groups within the Big 12 in 3-point capturing. — Myron Medcalf
(11) Texas 79, (6) BYU 71
(11) How Texas gained: AJ Dybantsa did every part he might to forestall BYU from being part of a second upset on the Moda Center on Thursday. He poured in 35 factors, changing into the primary freshman with that many in his NCAA event debut. He’s the second freshman with a 35-point sport within the NCAA event, together with De’Aaron Fox (39 factors) within the 2017 Sweet 16 towards UCLA. But it wasn’t sufficient. Texas managed the momentum from the soar, as BYU led for simply 22 seconds. When the Cougars have been on the verge of staging a comeback, Longhorns guard Jordan Pope buried a clutch 3-pointer from the nook to prolong his staff’s lead to 75-68 with 1:29 to go. The Longhorns acquired a robust efficiency from large man Matas Vokietaitis, who posted 23 factors and 16 rebounds. Tramon Mark added 16 factors. — Ryan McFadden
Texas’ second-round opponent: Gonzaga
How the Longhorns can advance to the Sweet 16: Texas, after dropping 5 of six video games getting into the NCAA event, has picked up back-to-back wins over NC State and BYU — and it’ll want to proceed defending at a excessive stage to have a chance towards Gonzaga. The Longhorns’ defensive deficiencies haven’t precisely been a secret; Sean Miller has talked about it at size, bemoaning their incapability to guard opponents with out fouling. But towards NC State, they held the Wolfpack to 0.98 factors per possession — their first time limiting an opponent to fewer than one level per possession since Jan. 14. BYU scored 1.06 factors per possession towards Texas, however that is properly beneath the Cougars’ season common, they usually have potential No. 1 NBA draft choose AJ Dybantsa. Fortunately for Miller, Gonzaga’s offense isn’t predicated on getting to the free throw line. The Zags rating more paint factors per sport than any staff within the nation, so Saturday’s sport might be key for Matas Vokietaitis to defend the rim and stifle All-American Graham Ike. — Jeff Borzello
How Louisville gained: Isaac McKneely led the way in which for the Cardinals, regardless of a late comeback push by South Florida to flip what had as soon as been a 23-point lead to inside single digits within the ultimate 5 minutes. But the Bulls have been utlimately unable to compete with the Cardinals’ 3-pointers, with USF star guard Wes Enis going 0-for-11 from 3 — the second-most missed 3-point area aim makes an attempt in an NCAA event sport for the reason that line was launched in 1987 (Wofford’s Fletcher Magee, 2019, was 0-for-12), per ESPN Research.
McKneely was 7-of-10 from past the arc — tied for many 3s made by a Louisville participant in an NCAA event sport (with Taquan Dean in 2005), per ESPN Research. McKneely scored a team-high 23 factors, simply his second 20-point sport this season. Overall, Pat Kelsey’s staff completed 13-for-25 (52%) from 3, in contrast to the Bulls’ 5-for-33 effort (15.2%). — Alaina Getzenberg
Louisville’s second-round opponent: Michigan State
How the Cardinals can advance to the Sweet 16: Despite main South Florida by 23 factors earlier than a late surge by the Bulls made the ultimate margin a lot nearer, Louisville has to clear up a lot so as to beat Michigan State. South Florida grabbed 18 offensive rebounds — 37.5% of its misses — and Louisville may have a tougher time towards Michigan State, one of the vital dominant offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The key on the offensive finish, because it all the time is for Louisville, might be making 3s. The Cardinals rank within the prime 5 nationally in 3-point try fee and made 13 towards South Florida. Michigan State was in the midst of the pack within the Big Ten in 3-point protection and allowed a mean of 11.1 3-pointers in its losses this season. The X issue would be the availability of Mikel Brown Jr., although Louisville has found out how to win with out him over the previous 5 video games. — Jeff Borzello
How Gonzaga gained: Kennesaw State tried its hardest to pull off the largest upset of the primary spherical, and it hung robust for some time. The Owls have been down by one level within the second half earlier than Gonzaga used a 17-4 run to stretch its lead to 60-46 — then made one final try at a comeback within the ultimate minutes, trimming the deficit to 5 factors earlier than Graham Ike‘s layup put the Bulldogs up 71-64 with 1:16 left.
Gonzaga was led by Ike, who completed with a game-high 19 factors and eight rebounds. Davis Fogle added 17 factors off the bench. The Bulldogs benefited from their journeys to the free throw line, the place they have been 20-of-23. They additionally managed the glass, outrebounding Kennesaw State 45-34. — Ryan McFadden
Gonzaga’s second-round opponent: Texas
How the Bulldogs can advance to the Sweet 16: Gonzaga will get to keep away from going through AJ Dybantsa within the second spherical, however now the Zags have to play a Texas staff with momentum — and one with measurement that might doubtlessly make life tough for Mark Few’s membership. What ought to decide the result would be the paint battle and free throw margin. Gonzaga leads the nation in paint factors per sport, scoring practically 45, whereas capturing practically 59% contained in the arc. But the Zags outscored Kennesaw State by solely 4 factors within the paint Thursday. Graham Ike wants to be his typical dominant self, and it is going to be useful to get Matas Vokietaitis in foul hassle. Vokietaitis averages 5.3 fouls per 40 and dedicated at the least 4 fouls in seven straight video games getting into Thursday. On the flip aspect, Ike may have to sluggish the previous Florida Atlantic switch; Vokietaitis is averaging 17.6 factors over his previous 11 video games and had 23 factors and 16 boards towards BYU. — Jeff Borzello
How Vanderbilt gained: There will not be any more aura this March Madness — at the least not from viral McNeese State supervisor Amir Khan. The 12-seed Cowboys began sizzling and constructed an 11-point lead early within the first half, however Vanderbilt held on and rallied to take a three-point lead into halftime with a dominant presence within the submit. The Commodores completed the sport outscoring McNeese 34-22 within the paint, thanks largely to a 6-for-6 effort from large man Devin McGlockton. Vanderbilt’s measurement benefit additionally offered an edge on the glass, outrebounding the Cowboys 37-34, together with 28-18 in defensive boards. Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner led all scorers with 25 factors — 17 within the second half — and three 3-pointers. McNeese saved tempo with Vanderbilt, recording 16 fast-break factors and 9 steals, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to pull off the upset. — Brooke Pryor
Vanderbilt’s second-round opponent: Nebraska
How the Commodores can advance to the Sweet 16: Vanderbilt wants Tyler Tanner to excel and to restrict Nebraska’s shooters so as to advance. The Commodores have been a special staff within the second half towards McNeese on Thursday when Tanner, a projected first-round NBA draft choose, received more comfy towards the stress from one among America’s greatest defensive groups. He scored 17 of his game-high 26 factors after halftime. Overall this season, Vanderbilt is 13-3 when the 6-foot guard scores at the least 20 factors. Nebraska, which had the perfect protection in Big Ten play this season, will do all it could to frustrate him. It’s not on him alone, although. The Commodores may have to do their greatest to shut down the Cornhuskers on the 3-point line: They’ve made 34 3-pointers of their previous three video games. — Myron Medcalf
How Texas A&M gained: Affected by an sickness and Texas A&M’s swarming protection, St. Mary’s main scorer, Paulius Murauskas, was held to a season-low 4 factors and performed simply 23 minutes off the bench. The Aggies’ protection was stifling: It recorded 12 steals, pressured the Gaels to flip the ball over a season-high 18 occasions and held them to simply 26 factors within the first half — their second-lowest output of the season. TAMU dominated within the paint, outscoring St. Mary’s 28-12 as ahead Rashaun Agee led all scorers with 22 factors. Agee and Aggie guard Rubén Dominguez every hit three 3-pointers. — Brooke Pryor
Texas A&M’s second-round opponent: Houston
How the Aggies can advance to the Sweet 16: It’s all about Bucky Ball and the way efficient it may be towards Houston and among the best backcourts within the nation. A&M desires to play quick, it desires to pressure turnovers and it desires to make groups uncomfortable. Houston takes care of the ball, rating seventh within the nation in turnover proportion — and the Cougars are even higher in Big 12 play. A&M forces turnovers on 18.6% of its defensive possessions; Houston has turned it over that ceaselessly simply 5 occasions all season. Can A&M win the tempo battle? The Aggies common more than 70 possessions per sport, rating within the prime 40 nationally. Meanwhile, the Cougars play simply over 63 possessions per sport, rating No. 352 nationally. This might be a real distinction of types, however the truth that A&M simply beat one other grind-it-out staff in Saint Mary’s ought to give the Aggies optimism. — Borzello
How Michigan State gained: North Dakota State took an 8-5 lead early within the first half towards Michigan State. That was the final time the Bisons had the sting because the Spartans gained their first sport of their twenty eighth NCAA event look underneath Tom Izzo (third most in Division I since 1995-96, per ESPN Research). Michigan State transformed 58.9% of its area objectives (the staff’s greatest in an NCAA event sport since 1986) and made 50% of its 3s, as well as to going 16-of-18 from the road. The Spartans capitalized on the Bison struggling from 3 (6-of-25) with 31 defensive rebounds to their 4 offensive rebounds. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. additionally grew to become the sixth totally different Michigan State participant previously 60 years to file at the least 10 assists in an NCAA event sport, becoming a member of a prestigious listing of Magic Johnson, Cassius Winston, Draymond Green, Mateen Cleaves and Denzel Valentine. — Alaina Getzenberg
Michigan State’s second-round opponent: Louisville
How the Spartans can advance to the Sweet 16: Michigan State’s largest edge towards North Dakota State was its dominant frontcourt, with Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and Cam Ward combining for 62 factors and 24 rebounds. That will even be the place the Spartans will want to win towards Louisville. Despite having loads of measurement and depth up entrance, the Cardinals struggled on the defensive glass towards South Florida, and Michigan State is among the top-10 offensive rebounding groups within the nation. The Spartans ought to have the option to have success in that space towards the Cardinals. Jeremy Fears Jr. would be the key — he did not rating the ball properly towards North Dakota State and turned it over a season-high 4 occasions, however he’ll have the option to get downhill and put stress on Louisville. — Jeff Borzello
How Nebraska gained: The Cornhuskers made historical past with their first NCAA event win in program historical past as they throttled Troy with a dominant efficiency on each ends of the ground; they entered the sport as the one program of any energy convention with out an NCAA event win after going 0-8 of their earlier appearances. Junior ahead Pryce Sandfort erupted with a program-record seven 3-pointers in an NCAA event sport, one wanting his profession excessive set earlier this season. As a staff, Nebraska shot 14-of-39 from past the arc whereas holding Troy to 8-of-28 from 3. The Cornhuskers not solely dominated the glass however turned these rebounds into 19 second-chance factors — properly over their season common of 9.2. Nebraska additionally pressured Troy to commit 17 turnovers and turned these errors into 17 factors. — Brooke Pryor
Nebraska’s second-round opponent: Vanderbilt
How the Cornhuskers can advance to the Sweet 16: Nebraska has already made historical past by profitable the primary NCAA event sport at school historical past. Now it could add to that feat with one other victory and its first Sweet 16 look. How? Its protection has the flexibility to pressure Vanderbilt star Tyler Tanner into tough photographs. He was simply 2-for-6 towards McNeese within the first half Thursday, struggling towards its relentless stress. Nebraska is larger and higher (top-10 protection nationally) than McNeese, and the Cornhuskers have put the identical defensive clamps on elite groups in Big Ten play. Against everybody else, they have been ferocious. But they did maintain Troy to simply 47 factors (77 factors per 100 possessions) — the perfect protection we have seen within the opening spherical by way of the primary half of Thursday. Combine that with Pryce Sandfort, Rienk Mast and Sam Hoiberg all hitting large photographs within the first spherical, and Nebraska is likely to be on its manner to the Sweet 16 for the primary time. — Myron Medcalf
How Arkansas gained: The victory marked the primary time the Razorbacks scored 90-plus factors in an NCAA event sport since 1999. (They beat Siena 94-80 within the first spherical.) They jumped to a 17-point lead within the first 9 minutes and by no means appeared again. SEC Player of the Year Darius Acuff Jr. was one among 5 Arkansas gamers to rating in double figures, ending with 24 factors, seven assists and one steal. Meleek Thomas totaled 21 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists, making him and Acuff the primary freshman teammates with 50 factors and 5 assists every in an NCAA event sport. Thomas was additionally efficient on protection, recording a block and two steals. Even although the Razorbacks shot 19% from the 3-point line, they dominated within the inside, outscoring Hawai’i 64-40 within the paint. Arkansas generated 23 fast-break factors and 26 assists. — Ryan McFadden
Arkansas’ second-round opponent: High Point
How Arkansas can advance to the Sweet 16: Arkansas desires to run, and it desires a high-scoring sport. High Point might be keen to play into that hand, and it is laborious to see how that is not a plus for John Calipari’s staff. The Razorbacks do not give the ball away since they’ve two high-level playmakers in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, and their frontcourt is considerably more cell and athletic than Wisconsin’s bigs. The turnover battle might be key; High Point ranks within the prime 5 in defensive turnover proportion, however Arkansas protects the ball higher than any staff within the nation. If Acuff and Thomas maintain the ball and the Razorbacks can dominate the paint like they’ve finished numerous occasions this season, High Point seemingly will not have a solution. Defensively, they cannot let Chase Johnston get sizzling — from wherever on the ground. — Jeff Borzello
How Illinois gained: The Illini dominated all phases of this win. Though 5 Illini completed in double figures, freshman David Mirkovic was the star, main all scorers with 28 factors, 17 rebounds and three assists. Penn had no solutions for Mirkovic and Illinois’ measurement. The Illini had 44 factors within the paint, pulled down 20 offensive boards and shot 50% from the sector. Add of their 15 3s, and there was merely nothing Illinois did not do properly. The Illini’s 105 factors have been essentially the most by any staff on the event’s opening day and their highest output since scoring 113 in every of their first two video games of the season. — David Hale
Illinois’ second-round opponent: VCU
How the Fighting Illini can advance to the Sweet 16: Illinois, which owns the No. 1 offense in America, can advance with the identical overwhelming offensive assault it has relied on in wins over Texas Tech, Tennessee and Purdue. The Fighting Illini scored 40 factors within the first half towards Penn earlier than including 65 within the second half at a fee of 197 factors per 100 possessions. For comparability: The Denver Nuggets have the NBA’s greatest offense of the season at 120 factors per 100 possessions. That’s how good Illinois is true now. Brad Underwood’s staff can advance with one other overwhelming offensive effort. On Thursday, the Illini turned to David Mirkovic (29 factors, 17 rebounds) to preserve their nationwide title hopes alive. It’s a tall process for the Rams, who may have to cease one of the vital potent offensive assaults in current faculty basketball historical past. Meanwhile, Illinois simply has to be Illinois. — Myron Medcalf
How Saint Louis gained: This one was all Billikens. Georgia by no means held a lead, that means it stays the one SEC staff with no NCAA event win since 2003. The Bulldogs merely had no reply for the Billikens as they scored layup after layup whereas a struggling Georgia offense made 34.7% of its area objectives (25 of 72).
Saint Louis dominated the paint with 66 factors, the best complete by any staff in a sport previously 20 NCAA tournaments. Six Saint Louis gamers completed with double digits in factors, and the Billikens made 58.3% of their area objectives. The lone vibrant spot for the Bulldogs was Jeremiah Wilkinson, who grew to become the primary Georgia participant with a 30-point sport since 2002. The sport marked the biggest loss by an SEC staff to an A-10 staff in an NCAA event sport (the earlier largest loss was in 1997, when 9-seed Temple beat 8-seed Ole Miss by 22 factors). — Alaina Getzenberg
Saint Louis’ second-round opponent: Michigan
How the Billikens can advance to the Sweet 16: Saint Louis is an environment friendly offensive operation, capturing round 59% contained in the arc and round 40% from 3. That’s what the Billikens will want to get a win over a Michigan staff with simply three losses this season. They’ll have to be good on the perimeter and across the rim as they have been towards Georgia with 66 factors within the paint. But how? They’ll have to assault Michigan’s large males, particularly Aday Mara, on ball screens, which is what Duke did down the stretch of its win over Michigan this season. Saint Louis has six gamers who’ve made at the least 37% of their 3-point makes an attempt this season. The Billikens can advance in the event that they exhaust Michigan’s frontcourt with an inside-outside sport that retains the Wolverines guessing and performs their greatest protection of the season to defend the rim towards one among America’s largest frontcourts. Easier stated than finished. — Myron Medcalf
How Houston gained: Death, taxes and Kelvin Sampson profitable at the least one NCAA event sport. With a dominant win towards Idaho, the Cougars have gained at the least one sport in eight consecutive NCAA tournaments, the second-longest lively streak behind Gonzaga. This time they have been paced by phenom Kingston Flemings, who set a program file with 18 factors — essentially the most by a Houston freshman in an NCAA event sport. Houston overwhelmed Idaho in every aspect of the sport, outrebounding the Vandals 47-32 and outscoring them within the paint 36-16. Five Cougars completed in double figures, whereas only one Vandal, Kolton Mitchell, reached that mark. — Brooke Pryor
Houston’s second-round opponent: Texas A&M
How the Cougars can advance to the Sweet 16: Houston, on paper, is constructed to stand up to Texas A&M’s urgent, up-tempo model. The Cougars have an elite three-guard trio in Kingston Flemings, Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, who do not flip the ball over and are efficient at getting the sport to be performed at Kelvin Sampson’s most well-liked tempo. They can also pressure their very own justifiable share of turnovers, and A&M has had some points towards groups with intense on-ball stress. Where Houston can actually have an edge is on the offensive glass. The Cougars are yearly among the best offensive rebounding groups within the nation, and whereas this 12 months’s group is not fairly as elite as earlier variations, they’re nonetheless within the prime 30 nationally in offensive rebounding fee and second-chance factors per sport. A&M, in the meantime, was one of many worst defensive rebounding groups within the SEC. — Borzello
How Michigan gained: Howard gave Michigan a run for its cash early, maintaining the sport inside 4 factors going into halftime. But popping out of it, the Wolverines distanced themselves by flexing their offensive muscle tissue to draw back for his or her thirty second win of the season — second most in program historical past (essentially the most have been 33 in 2017-18). The Wolverines shot 67.3% to the Bison’s 42.6%. Michigan additionally held the sting on the glass (35-23), led by ahead Morez Johnson Jr., who grew to become the fifth participant previously 60 years with 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 100% FG (8-for-8) in an NCAA event sport. Howard’s 10 first-half 3s saved the Bison within the sport as they appeared for his or her second NCAA event win, however they adopted that up with simply 4 (4-of-13) within the second half. — Alaina Getzenberg
Michigan’s second-round opponent: Saint Louis
How the Wolverines can advance to the Sweet 16: The Wolverines can advance in the event that they use their measurement on offense and subdue a novel Saint Louis offense. Michigan had early struggles as Kenny Blakeney’s Howard staff centered on Yaxel Lendeborg (9 factors) and used a zone to preserve the Wolverines out of the lane. It did not work for the entire sport as a result of Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. — who had 40 factors mixed — performed excessive of it whereas persevering with to rating from the perimeter to seal the win. Saint Louis would not have the dimensions to defend Michigan at any place. On offense, the Billikens might be pressured to camp out on the 3-point line as a result of the Wolverines will not give them a variety of room to function within the paint. If Michigan hits its 3s, dominates inside and defends a flexible Saint Louis offense, the Wolverines ought to advance to the Sweet 16. — Myron Medcalf
