MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team is preparing for the second half of their homestand, starting with welcoming Viterbo (La Crosse, WI) on Thursday, November 30 at 5 p.m. in the PEIF Gym. This will be the final tune-up for the 'Cats ahead of GLIAC play starting next week.
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Thursday, November 30 - vs. Viterbo at 5 p.m. (PEIF Gym)
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A Word from Matt Majkrzak
"We were a lot this past week than we had been in previous weeks. We need to keep improving and play better. Viterbo is really tough and is one of the best-coached defensive teams. Hopefully this challenge keeps us a little more on edge and the key is we have to be ready for next week."
Last Time Out
The 'Cats had a pair of home matchups after Thanksgiving last weekend playing vs. No.16 Minnesota Duluth and No. 9 Minnesota State Moorhead State that saw a pair of hard-fought defeats.
Against No. 9 MSUM, NMU fell to the undefeated Dragons in overtime 83-79.
Max Weisbrod recorded a career-high 32-points to go along with five rebounds and four assists.
Dylan Kuehl chipped in 12, and three other Wildcats reached double figures.
Against No. 16 Duluth, NMU missed two shots in the final seconds, falling 74-72.
Dylan Kuehl and
Max Weisbrod combined for 40 points in the heartbreaking loss. Kuehl had a dominant performance recording a double-double scoring 22 points with 10 boards.
Cat Nips
- Northern is averaging 84.8 ppg while allowing 81.3 ppg. The 84.8 points per game is the third most in the GLIAC. NMU is shooting 47.0% from the floor and 31.2% from downtown. The 'Cats are also averaging 6.5 more rebounds a contest than their opponents. NMU is only allowing 7.0 offensive rpg, the second best mark among conference teams.
- Sam Schultz was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week on November 20. He leads the GLIAC at 10.2 rebounds/game, which is good for 16th in the country. His 3.8 offensive rebounds/game is also 16th across Division II.
- The Green and Gold offense is led by Dylan Kuehl (16.3) and Max Weisbrod (16.2). The two currently sit at fourth and fifth in the GLIAC in scoring.
- Sam Schultz (12.6), Carson Smith (12.0), and Brian Parzych (11.1) are also averaging in double-figures.
- The Division II teams Northern has played thus far have a combined record of 34-15 (.694), with no team having a losing record, giving NMU one of the toughest schedules in the country to start the season.
- Kuehl, who made the All-GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team as a redshirt freshman, was named to the GLIAC Preseason First Team. Reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year Max Weisbrod received Preseason Second Team honors after earning those same honors to end 2022-23.
- The Wildcats are currently 68-50 (.576) under 5th year head coach Matt Majkrzak.
Notes on Viterbo
The V-Hawks enter the week at 5-4 out of the NAIA. Viterbo is 0-2 away from their home court, but have held opponents under 70 points per game (69.7) this season while scoring 71.0 ppg themselves.
Viterbo shoots 45.0% from the field and 35.1% from three. The V-Hawks are led by senior forward Jack Monis who is averaging 16.3 ppg on 54.2% shooting. Sophomore Ben Olson is right behind at 15.6 ppg while leading the team on the glass, pulling down 5.2 boards a contest.
Wayne Wagner is at the helm for the V-Hawks in his 25th season guiding the program.
