MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan Men's Basketball team will return to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition this week with home contests against Purdue Northwest and Parkside.
The Wildcats will look to bounce back on their slow start within conference play with 16 GLIAC contests over the next two months. NMU will take on Purdue Northwest on Thursday (Jan. 6) at 5:30 p.m. from the Berry. The 'Cats will wrap up the weekend on Saturday (Jan. 8) against the Parkside Rangers at 1:15 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. Purdue Northwest
Live Stats: bit.ly/3sN4e38
Video: bit.ly/3zs8mH1
Tickets: bit.ly/32vIX3d
Saturday vs. Parkside
Live Stats: bit.ly/3sN4e38
Video: bit.ly/3zs8mH1
Tickets: bit.ly/32vIX3d
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats returned to action on Sunday (Jan. 2) with a dominant 109-42 victory over nonconference U.P. opponent Finlandia University.
Carson Smith led the way with 25 points.
Max Bjorklund added 21 points.
John Kerr (17 points, 11 rebounds) and
Sam Schultz (12 points, 13 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.
NMU recorded 29 assists in the contest. Smith and Schultz totaled six assists apiece.
STAT LEADERS
Max Bjorklund leads the team in points this season, having scored 182 points (16.5 ppg).
John Kerr, who owns 28 offensive rebounds and 38 on the defensive side, leads the Wildcats on the glass with 66 total boards.
Three 'Cats are averaging multiple assists each outing.
Brian Parzych leads the way with 2.8 apg, while
Max Bjorklund (2.4 apg) and
John Kerr (2.3 apg) follow closely behind.
Ben Wolf leads the way in blocks with seven on the campaign following a three block performance against Finlandia.
Two Wildcats are averaging at least one steal per contest.
Brian Parzych's 13 takeaways leads the squad while
Max Bjorklund sits close behind him with 11 total.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Purdue Northwest is 0-4 in the GLIAC and 3-9 overall. Guard Mikell Cooper paces the Pride with 18.4 points a game.
Wisconsin-Parkside is 2-2 in conference play and 5-6 overall. Guard Tray Croft is averaging 19.2 points per contest to lead the Rangers.
MATCHUP HISTORY
NMU vs Purdue Northwest
The Wildcats are 5-1 in their last six meetings with the Pride. The two teams last shared the court on February 8, 2020, a 65-62 loss at home.
Justin Kuehl led the 'Cats in the contest with 17 points.
NMU has averaged 84.5 ppg over their last six outings against PNW.
NMU vs Parkside
The Wildcats and the Rangers have split their last six meetings, with four games coming at home. The 'Cats fell 72-55 in the last outing on January 10, 2021 at home.
Tre Harvey reached double figures in the game with 13 points. The night prior, Northern took a thrilling 76-75 OT win behind 23 points from
Max Bjorklund.
NMU has averaged 64.7 ppg over their last six outings against Parkside.
A LOOK AHEAD
NMU will hit the road next weekend with a pair of contests at Saginaw Valley State and Wayne State. Game time on Thursday (Jan. 13) against the Cardinals is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Wildcats and the Warriors will tip-off at 3 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 15).
