MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Men's Basketball team has two away conference games this weekend, starting Thursday, January 13th. Northern will take on Saginaw Valley State University with tip-off set for 6 p.m.
Next, the 'Cats travel to Wayne State University to take on the Warriors on Saturday, January 15th at 3 p.m.
WEEKLY NOTES:
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week and during the games. Fans can follow the action live using the live stats and video links below.
Thursday vs. Saginaw Valley State
Live Stats: bit.ly/3JX8T8y
Video: bit.ly/3f8pKaC
Tickets: bit.ly/3zHVnRR
Saturday vs. Wayne State
Live Stats: bit.ly/3FeQyjU
Video: bit.ly/3n9QprK
Tickets: bit.ly/34BdbT6
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats returned to GLIAC play in impressive fashion, picking up a weekend sweep for their first GLIAC victories on the season. On Thursday, NMU defeated Purdue Northwest 90-59 behind 19 points from
Nick Wagner.
John Kerr added 17 points.
The 'Cats again had an impressive outing on Saturday, claiming victory over the Parkside Rangers 72-53.
John Kerr led the team with a 23 point, 12 rebound double-double.
STAT LEADERS
Max Bjorklund leads the team in points this season, having scored 197 points (16.4 ppg).
John Kerr, who owns 38 offensive rebounds and 42 on the defensive side, leads the Wildcats on the glass with 80 total boards. Kerr is tied for third in the GLIAC averaging 2.5 boards on the offensive glass per game.
John Kerr has been very efficient from the field this season, leading the team with a 59.4 shooting percentage, good for fourth in the conference.
Brian Parzych leads the way in the assist column, dishing out 3.4 a contest.
Ben Wolf leads the way in blocks with nine on the campaign.
Two Wildcats are averaging at least one steal per contest.
Brian Parzych's 17 takeaways leads the squad while
Max Bjorklund sits close behind him with 12 total.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Saginaw Valley State is 3-3 in the GLIAC and 9-5 overall. Senior guard Delano Smith paces the Cardinals with 16.9 ppg.
Wayne State is 1-5 in conference play and 2-7 overall.
MATCHUP HISTORY
NMU VS SVSU
NMU and Saginaw Valley last met in January 2021, when the Wildcats defeated the Cardinals 69-57. The 'Cats have a 5-5 record in the last ten games against the Cardinals. Northern hopes to grow their record against the Cardinals this Thursday.
NMU VS WSU
The Wildcats and the Warriors last took the court together in January 2020, when Northern defeated Wayne State 58-55. NMU hopes to have a similar performance this Saturday.
A LOOK AHEAD
NMU will return home next weekend to begin a four-game homestand. The Wildcats will take on Davenport on Thursday (Jan. 20) and Grand Valley State on Saturday (Jan. 22).
