Michigan faces st. louis in ncaa tournament second round

BUFFALO, NY – The University of Michigan Wolverines advance to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament after a decisive 101-81 victory over Howard on Thursday. Their next challenge? A Saturday matchup against the No. 9 seed St. Louis Billikens in Buffalo, New York.

Wolverines aim to continue tournament run

The No. 1 seeded Wolverines (32-3) will square off against the No. 9 seeded Billikens (29-5) at the KeyBank Center. St. Louis navigated the tournament with a strong performance, defeating Georgia 102-77 in the first round.

Tip-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET, and the contest will be broadcast on CBS. Michigan has a storied history in March Madness, securing one national championship in 1989 and reaching the Final Four eight times.

Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. led Michigan with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Howard, while senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 14.4 points. For St. Louis, senior guard Dion Brown scored 18 points in their first-round win.

DraftKings currently favors Michigan as a 12.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 161.5 points. The Wolverines have a strong tournament record, posting 69 wins and only 31 losses, including vacated wins. They have reached at least the Sweet 16 in each of their last six tournament appearances.

The Wolverines’ journey to Buffalo represents more than just another tournament game. It's a continuation of a legacy built on consistent performance and a program hungry for another title. The stakes are high, and the Wolverines are prepared to answer the call.