Update: Howard outlasted UMBC, 86-83, for its first NCAA tournament win, and will face Michigan on Thursday night in the Round of 64.
Who will Michigan basketball play in March Madness? We just found out.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket (print yours) kicked off Tuesday night with the start of the First Four game between UMBC and Howard in Dayton, Ohio. Two games are played today and two more are Wednesday, to set the 64-team first round.
The Wolverines, the No. 3 overall seed and the 1-seed in the Midwest region, will debut in the Round of 64 on Thursday, March 19, in Buffalo, New York.
Below is a live score tracker for First Four results, an FAQ and schedule.
[ March Madness predictions for Final Four, Cinderella, Michigan, MSU ]
Buy Michigan NCAA Tournament game tickets
Who does Michigan play in March Madness?
There were two possible opponents: The Wolverines will play Howard (24-10), the winner of Tuesday’s First Four game between 16-seed UMBC (24-8) and the 16-seed Bison in Dayton, Ohio.
When does Michigan basketball play in March Madness?
The Wolverines play the Howard Bison on Thursday, March 19, at Key Bank Center in Buffalo, New York, with a 7:10 p.m. ET tipoff time on CBS.
[ Michigan basketball predictions, how deep does it go in March Madness ]
First Four games today, schedule
Tuesday
Watch March Madness games on Sling TV
Wednesday
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who does Michigan basketball play in March Madness? Live First Four results
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
