MARQUETTE, Mich. - Coming off of a GLIAC title victory, the NMU men's basketball team has more to play for, as the Wildcats earned the No. 5 seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament and will square up with the No. 4 Hillsdale Chargers on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

The Green and Gold enter the contest with a 24-7 record on the season, matching a program single-season high that has been hit three times, most recently in 1999-00 when the 'Cats finished 24-6. Already making its mark on the NMU record books, a win would cement the 2022-23 team as the winningest team in program history. 

The Hillsdale Chargers are 23-6 on the season. The two squads met earlier this season at Hillsdale, resulting in a 74-53 victory for the Chargers. 

The other matchups in the region will also take place on Saturday. At noon, No. 3 Ashland and No. 6 Ferris State will play, followed by No. 2 Missouri-St. Louis and No. 7 Parkside at 2:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., host and No. 1 seed UIndy will tangle with No. 8 McKendree. The Wildcats and Chargers will close out the quarterfinal matchups in the night cap at 7:30 p.m.


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Saturday, March 11 - vs. Hillsdale (Indianapolis, IN) at 7:30 p.m.
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Last Time Out
Northern finished off the job in the GLIAC title game, overcoming rival Michigan Tech 79-66 to secure the first tournament championship since 2000. With the win, the 'Cats punched their ticket as the GLIAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

After consecutive 23-point games in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Max Bjorklund scored 13 points and took home tournament MVP. He averaged 19.7 PPG over the three games. Max Weisbrod scored 14 points and tacked on five rebounds and five assists in the title match, also making the All-Tournament team. 

Sam Schultz made a big impact against the Huskies to lead the 'Cats off the bench with 17 points. He was 6-8 from the floor and added six rebounds. Dylan Kuehl posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.

NMU defeated Saginaw Valley State 75-66 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Wildcats defeated Ferris State 67-59 on their home court, holding FSU to 13-53 (24.5%) shooting for the game and an uncanny 4-23 (17.4%) clip in the second half. 


Cat Nips

• Northern (No. 3 seed) defeated Michigan Tech (No. 8 seed) in the GLIAC Championship, 79-66. It was the first time the 'Cats have won the tournament since 2000. NMU also knocked off No. 6 Saginaw Valley State (75-66) and No. 2 Ferris State (67-59) in the tournament. Max Bjorklund was named the tournament MVP and Max Weisbrod was also named to the All-Tournament team. 
• The Wildcats are 24-7 (13-5 GLIAC) this season, have won six straight, and nine of the last ten.
• Northern Michigan and McKendree each enter the NCAA Tournament riding a six-game win streak, the longest in the regional field. 
• Northern is averaging 80.1 PPG and holding opponents to 70.1 PPG. 
• For as young as the 'Cats are, they have the lowest turnover clip per game in the GLIAC at 9.6, the 7th lowest turnover average in Division II. It is the third best mark in the region, with Hillsdale at 9.0 and Walsh right behind at 9.1.
• The Wildcats also clean up the glass well, averaging 6.6 more rebounds per game than the competition. That is the fourth best in the Midwest and 15th best in the country.
• NMU is led by senior Max Bjorklund, scoring 20.2 per contest, the best mark in the Midwest region. He is shooting 44.9% from the floor, 38.0% from three, and 78.0% at the charity stripe. He was named to the All-GLIAC First Team and has racked up 1,713 career points. 
• Freshman Dylan Kuehl is averaging 12.8 PPG and leads the team with 6.8 RPG, good for first in the GLIAC. His 54.9 FG% is the best amongst the freshmen in the Midwest and second-best among Division II freshmen. Kuehl was named to the All-GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team.  
• Freshman Max Weisbrod is averaging double figures at 12.3 PPG and leads the team in assists at 5.1 APG. His season-assist total is 157, tied for 19th in the country. Both his total assist numbers and per-game average are the second-best in the country for first-year players. Wesibrod also holds a 44.1 3PT%, the fourth best in the Midwest. He was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year and to the All-GLIAC Second Team. 

Coach Majkrzak Interview



Scouting Hillsdale
The Hillsdale Chargers enter the NCAA Tournament with a 23-6 record this season. They were the No. 3 seed in the GMAC Tournament, falling to No. 2 Ashland 76-69 in the semifinals. The Chargers average 75.3 PPG. They have the fourth fewest turnovers per game in the country at 9.0.

The Wildcats and Chargers met on November 20 in Hillsdale, a 74-53 victory for Hillsdale. Jack Golhke had 26 points for the Chargers while Bjorklund had 11 to lead the 'Cats. It was the third game in four days for the Wildcats. 

Hillsdale has four All-GMAC selections. Senior Jack Gohlke was selected to the First Team, averaging 13.9 PPG to lead the squad. He makes 3.2 threes/game, shooting at a clip of 39.7%. Senior Peter Kalthoff also made the GMAC First Team. He averages 13.4 PPG and 7.1 RPG. 

Sophomore Joe Reuter (12.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG) and senior Kyle Goessler (11.1 PPG and 2.6 APG) received Second Team honors for the Chargers. 


NCAA Tournament - Midwest Region
Hosted by UIndy

Saturday, March 11 | Quarterfinals
Game 1 - No. 3 Ashland vs. No. 6 Ferris State - Noon ET   
Game 2 - No. 2 Missouri-St. Louis vs. No. 7 Parkside - 2:30 p.m. ET   
Game 3 - No. 1 UIndy vs. No. 8 McKendree - 5 p.m. ET    
Game 4 - No. 4 Hillsdale vs. No. 5 Northern Michigan - 7:30 p.m. ET    

Sunday, March 12 | Semifinals
Game 5 - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner - 5 p.m. ET    
Game 6 - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner - 7:30 p.m. ET   

Tuesday, March 14 | Midwest Championship 
Game 7 - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner - 7 p.m. ET

In total, there are eight regions, and the winner from each region will advance to the Elite Eight at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, taking place March 21, 23 and 25.