MARQUETTE, Mich. - Following two months of basketball in the PEIF Gym, the Wildcats are back in the Berry Events Center, as the Northern Michigan men's basketball team will host Ripon College in a non-conference tilt on Saturday, December 30 at 3 p.m.

The Green and Gold won 13 of 14 games on home court in the Berry a season ago, and 16 of its last 17. It will be the final season in the Berry, as the basketball programs will call Vandament Arena home starting in the 2024-25 season. 


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Saturday, December 30 - vs. Ripon at 3 p.m. (Berry Events Center)
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Last Time Out
Northern was last in action at home against Northwood on December 19, coming away with a 80-64 win over the Timberwolves to extend its winning streak to four games. With the game tied and time winding down, the Wildcats went on a crucial 18-2 run during the final five minutes of the game, propelling the Wildcats to their fourth-straight win and eighth of the season.

Four 'Cats eclipsed double-digit points, led by Dyland Kuehl with19 points and seven rebounds. Sam Schultz was next with a 16-point 15-rebound double-double, followed by Carson Smith at 14 points with six rebounds and Max Weisbrod with 12 points.


Cat Nips

• Northern is averaging 82.7 ppg while allowing 75.5 ppg. The 82.7 points per game is second in the GLIAC. NMU is shooting 47.5% from the floor and 32.3% from downtown. The 'Cats are also averaging 7.0 more rebounds a contest than their opponents, good for 24th in the nation. NMU is only allowing 7.2 offensive rpg, the best mark among conference teams. NMU's 1.48 assist/turnover ratio is 19th in Division II. 
• The Green and Gold offense is led by Dylan Kuehl (18.6 ppg), who is second in the GLIAC in scoring. He is shooting an efficient 54.2% this season. Over his last five, he is averaging 23 points a game on an outstanding 61.3% (46-75) field goal percentage with a 71.4% (40-56) two-point FG% in that span. 
• Four other Wildcats are averaging in double figures: Max Weisbrod (13.5), Brian Parzych (11.9), Carson Smith (11.8), and Schultz (11.0). Northern is the only conference team to have five in double figures. 
• Sam Schultz leads the GLIAC at 10.4 rebounds/game, which is good for 11th in the country. Averaging 11.0 points/game, he is one of 13 in DII to be averaging those numbers.
• Kuehl was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week on December 11. He made the All-GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team as a redshirt freshman, and was named to the GLIAC Preseason First Team this season. Reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year Max Weisbrod received Preseason Second Team honors after earning those same honors to end 2022-23.
• The Green and Gold won 13 of 14 games on home court in the Berry a season ago, and 16 of its last 17.
• The Wildcats are currently 72-50 (.590) under 5th year head coach Matt Majkrzak.

Notes on Ripon
Ripon College is a private liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin. The Red Hawks are 2-10 this season after a 14-12 record in 2022-23. 

They average just 65.0 points/game while yielding 74.0 to opponents. The Red Hawks have also struggled shooting so far, with just a 39.9% FG percentage. The free-throw line also hasn't been kind this season as they shoot 62.6%. They have had success from the three-point line, averaging seven makes a game on 34.7% shooting. 

The Red Hawks are led by junior wing Luke Meinholz at 14.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Guard Cade Tackmier is also in double figures with a 10.1 ppg clip. 

The two sides have one all-time meeting that took place in 2019, a 80-75 win for Ripon.