MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats will look to get back on the right track this week as they are set to host the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals and Wayne State Warriors at the Berry Events Center. 

Coming off a pair of tough road losses at LSSU and FSU, the Wildcats (15-6, 7-4) will be happy to be back home this week where they hold an 8-1 record. Saginaw Valley State (11-9, 6-4) will visit first on Thursday, February 2. Tip-off will be at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, February 4, Wayne State (7-10, 4-6) will make a stop in Marquette for an early 11 a.m. meeting with the Wildcats. 


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Thursday, February 2 - vs. Saginaw Valley State at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets  |  Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes

Saturday, February 4 - vs. Wayne State at 11 a.m.
Tickets  |  Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes 


Last Time Out
The Wildcats were on the road for a pair of GLIAC matchups at Lake Superior State and Ferris State. NMU held close in both contests but ultimately fell victim in each. 

At LSSU: Northern struggled shooting, got into foul trouble in the second half, and despite a few opportunities late in the game to tie or take the lead, fell just short by a 65-61 score. NMU's cold shooting was seen at all levels, going 21-56 (37.5%) from the field, 6-20 (30%) from three, and 13-24 (54.2%) from the FT line. LSSU went 21-49 (42.9%), 4-13 (30.8%) from deep, and 19-27 (70.4%) at the charity stripe. 

The Wildcats led 31-30 at halftime, but foul trouble disrupted the pace of play in the second half. Dylan Kuehl and Najashi Tolefree both fouled out, with Kuehl's presence being taken off the floor with more than seven minutes left in the game. All ten Wildcats scored in the contest, but no one scored over 11 points (Max Bjorklund). Jackson Dudek went 4-5 for 10 points while adding five rebounds and Max Weisbrod added 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists for solid outings from the NMU freshmen. 

At FSU: NMU dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to Ferris State by a score of 106-93 after leading by as many as 15. The Wildcats shot 32-71 (45.1%) from the field, 11-22 (50.0%) from deep, and 18-27 (66.7%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs shot 36-80 (45.0%) from the field, 4-19 (21.1%) from three, and 30-36 (83.3%) from the charity stripe. 

Max Bjorklund paced all scorers with 29 points while also accumulating eight rebounds and seven assists. Max Weisbroad added 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Dylan Kuehl was efficient, posting a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. 


Cat Attack
The Wildcats are off to a 15-6 (7-4 GLIAC) start to the season and are tied for third place in the GLIAC behind Ferris State and Parkside while riding alongside Lake Superior State. Northern is averaging 82.9 PPG while holding the opposition to a mark of 73.0 PPG.

For as young as the 'Cats are, they have the lowest turnover clip per game in the GLIAC at 10.2. That is the 9th lowest turnover average in Division II. The Wildcats also do a good job cleaning up the glass, averaging 6.5 more rebounds per game than their competition. 

NMU is led by Max Bjorklund, scoring 20.6 per contest, the best mark in the GLIAC. Freshman Dylan Kuehl is averaging 13.6 PPG and leads the team with 6.2 RPG. His 61.3 FG% is tops in the GLIAC and the 15th-best mark throughout DII hoops. Max Weisbrod is averaging double figures at 11.1 PPG and leads the team in assists at 4.9 APG.   


Coach Majkrzak Preview


In the Polls
In the latest D2SIDA Midwest Regional poll, the Wildcats are ranked sixth. 


Bjorklund on Bevo Francis Watch List
Senior guard Max Bjorklund has been named to the Top 100 Watch List for the Bevo Francis Award, announced by Small College Basketball and the National Awards Committee. 

The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character, and team achievements.  This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.

The Top 50 Watch List will be released on February 15th.
 

Scouting Saginaw Valley State
The Cardinals come into the matchup with back-to-back wins and an overall mark of 11-9, with a 6-4 record in GLIAC matchups. They are 3-4 away from their home court. The team averages 72.3 PPG on 45.0% shooting from the field, but just 30.8% from the 3-point line. The Cardinals generate more steals than anyone in the GLIAC at 7.8/game. 

Tre Garrett (14.8 PPG) and Freddie McIntosh (14.6 PPG) make for a lethal starting backcourt. Garrett is also efficient at crashing the glass from the wing, leading the team in rebounding at 6.3 RPG. 


Previous Matchup vs. SVSU
Without Max Bjorklund or Brian Parzych, NMU escaped a January 7 trip to SVSU with a 71-68 victory. Leading 46-26 at halftime, the NMU men's basketball team got a stop in the final second to hold on for the win. 

Dylan Kuehl led NMU with a double-double, scoring 18 points and adding 10 rebounds along with three blocks. He had 15 in the first half. Sam Privet added 15 points. Max Weisbrod and Carson Smith also dipped into double figures. Weisbrod dished out seven assists to pace the 'Cats. Freddie McIntosh led SVSU with 16 points. 

Northern did not trail in the contest. After a 60% shooting first half, the 'Cats cooled off to 25-60 (41.7%) for the game while SVSU was 25-70 (35.7%).


Scouting Wayne State
The Warriors are a shade under .500 this season with an overall 7-10 record and a 4-6 GLIAC record. They have dropped three straight. They average 67.8 PPG while holding opponents to a GLIAC-best 67.1 PPG. With good defense has come offensive struggles for the Warriors, however, as they shoot 41.9% from the field, the lowest conversion clip in the conference. 

Antonio Marshall leads the Warrior attack, averaging 15.2 PPG. Avery Lewis and Carmelo Harris (13.5 PPG each) aren't far behind. Lewis leads the squad on the glass pulling down 6.8 RPG.   


Previous Matchup vs. Wayne State
The two teams met in Detroit back on January 5, with NMU edging WSU 64-62 in OT. Freshman Max Weisbrod played from start to finish and led the 'Cats with a career-high 26 points. 

The stat sheet looked nearly identical on each side in the contest. NMU shot 23-62 (37.1%) while WSU went 23-61 (37.7%) from the floor. Each side knocked in six triples with one more attempt from NMU. Each side shot 19 times at the free throw line, with Northern converting on 12 to WSU's 10. The Wildcats held a slim edge on the glass, 45-41.