MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan Men's Basketball team returns to action with a three game homestand to open up the 2022 calendar year.
The 'Cats are back on the court for the first time in 22 days with a non-conference matchup against U.P. opponent Finlandia University on Sunday, Jan. 2. Opening tip-off is set for 3:15 p.m. from the Berry Events Center.
WEEKLY NOTES:
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week and during the game. Fans can follow the action live using the live stats and video links below.
SUNDAY vs. FINLANDIA
Live Stats: bit.ly/3JkJ6Hg
Video: bit.ly/3qvGgqf
Tickets: bit.ly/32vIX3d
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats were last in action on Dec. 9 and 11, where they dropped a pair of close matchups at the Berry Events Center. The 'Cats hung tough, but fell 76-63 against No. 20 Ferris State. On the weekend's second game vs. LSSU, a shot at the buzzer trickled off the rim as the Wildcats dropped a 74-72 contest against the visiting conference foe.
A non-conference game scheduled for Dec. 19 against the University of Indy was canceled due to illness.
STAT LEADERS
Max Bjorklund leads the team in points this season, having scored 161 points (16.1 ppg).
John Kerr, who boasts 27 offensive grabs and 28 on the defensive side, leads the Wildcats on the glass with 55 total boards.
Three 'Cats are averaging multiple assists each outing.
Brian Parzych leads the way with 2.6 apg, while
Max Bjorklund (2.2 apg) and
John Kerr (2.1 apg) follow closely behind.
Justin Kuehl's five blocks leads the Wildcat men in the category as his defensive play has kept NMU in many contests.
Two Wildcats have double-digit steals in 10 games played.
Brian Parzych's 12 takeaways leads the squad while
Max Bjorklund sits right behind him with 11 total.
MATCHUP HISTORY
The Wildcats and the Lions have faced each other three times in the regular season in the last decade, with the latest meeting coming in Nov. 2014. NMU has been victorious each time, with an average margin of victory of 44.3 points.
The two teams last shared the court in an exhibition format in the 2015-16 season. The Wildcats were victorious 90-82.
A LOOK AHEAD
NMU will return to GLIAC play next week with a pair of matchups at the Berry. Purdue Northwest will visit on Thursday, Jan. 6 with a 7:45 p.m. start. The three game homestand will wrap up on Saturday, Jan. 8 against Parkside with opening tip-off at 1:15 p.m.
