BUFFALO – After falling short in the Big Ten championship game, the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines begin their NCAA Tournament run with a matchup against the 16th-seeded Howard Bison today, Thursday,

It took a few extra days, but we now know who Michigan basketball will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Howard, a 16-seed from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, staved off a late rally from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 86-83, to win a “First Four” play-in game Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio.

It's Louisville Cardinals vs Michigan State Spartans in the March Madness bracket. Our prediction, pick for Louisville's next NCAA Tournament game:

Get real-time Men's College Basketball coverage and scores as Howard Bison takes on Michigan Wolverines. We bring you the latest game previews, live stats, expert picks and recaps on CBS Sports

Tickets sold out in four minutes after Ohio State stunned No. 1 seed Michigan State in the other semifinal, handing the Wolverines their first home championship game.