North Carolina Central Eagles vs Howard Bison Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 14 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/14/2026, 02:30 AM ET

The North Carolina Central Eagles face the Howard Bison in the MEAC Tournament Final on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET with television coverage on ESPN2. Howard is favored by -12.5 with the total set at 146.5, while North Carolina Central is +600 on the moneyline and Howard is -900. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insights and predictions.

Eagles Battle Their Way Into the Championship

The North Carolina Central Eagles enter the MEAC Tournament Final with a 14-17 overall record and an 8-6 conference record. North Carolina Central advanced to this round after recently winning over Delaware State 59-53 in the semifinal, following an overtime win over Maryland Eastern Shore earlier in the tournament. In their last five games, the Eagles have recently won over Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Delaware State again while recently losing to South Carolina State and recently winning over Delaware State in late February.

North Carolina Central has averaged 72.6 points per game while allowing 75.6 points per game this season. The Eagles shoot 44% from the field and average 31.5 rebounds and 13.8 assists per game. Defensively they contribute 3.6 blocks and 8.9 steals per game, showing their ability to apply pressure and create turnovers despite sometimes struggling to maintain consistent scoring production.

In their semifinal victory over Delaware State, Kyric Davis delivered a dominant performance with 23 points while shooting a perfect 11-of-11 from the field, providing the offensive spark the Eagles needed in a defensive battle. Davis also controlled the glass with eight rebounds, leading the team in rebounding as well. North Carolina Central also protected the ball well with only seven turnovers, which helped them grind out a close win and advance to the championship game on a short turnaround.

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Bison Enter Final With Momentum and Depth

The Howard Bison enter the championship game with a 22-10 overall record and an 11-3 conference record, establishing themselves as one of the strongest teams in the MEAC this season. Howard advanced to the final after recently winning over South Carolina State 78-61 in the semifinal. The Bison have recently won over South Carolina State, Norfolk State, Coppin State, and Morgan State while recently losing to none in their last five games.

Howard has averaged 77.7 points per game while allowing 67.9 points per game this season. The Bison shoot 46% from the field and average 36.5 rebounds and 16.5 assists per game. Defensively they contribute 3.6 blocks and 8.6 steals per game, demonstrating a well-rounded team that combines efficient scoring with consistent defensive pressure.

In their semifinal win over South Carolina State, Cam Gillus led the Bison with 25 points while also grabbing eight rebounds, making a major impact on both ends of the floor. Howard also excelled at the free throw line, converting 28 of 38 attempts, which helped create separation late in the game. The Bison also controlled the boards with a six-rebound advantage, highlighting their physical presence heading into the championship matchup.

North Carolina Central vs Howard Pick

North Carolina Central vs Howard Spread Pick

Pick: Howard -12.5

Howard enters this championship game with clear advantages in both offensive efficiency and defensive consistency. The Bison have been one of the most balanced teams in the MEAC this season and already dominated North Carolina Central in a previous matchup. With Howard’s rebounding edge, defensive pressure, and ability to generate offense from multiple sources, the Bison should be able to gradually extend the lead and cover the spread.

North Carolina Central vs Howard Total Pick

Pick: Under 146.5

I like the under in this matchup because championship games in conference tournaments often slow down as possessions become more deliberate and defensive intensity increases. North Carolina Central is coming off a low-scoring semifinal game and tends to play at a more controlled pace, while Howard’s defense has been solid throughout the season. With both teams likely focusing on half-court execution, this game has a good chance to stay under the total.

Final Score Prediction: Howard 75, North Carolina Central 60

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