MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan men's basketball team (11-5, 4-0) continues Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play this week, as they'll prepare to host the Lake Superior State University Lakers (9-4, 1-2) on Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. The Cats' will then host the No.12 ranked Bulldogs of Ferris State University (12-2, 2-1) on Saturday, January 13 at 3 p.m.
After a 4-0 start in GLIAC play with victories at Davenport and Grand Valley State last week, the Green and Gold will look to continue to stay atop the conference standings and build upon its current seven-game winning streak.This will be the first matchup between the teams this season.
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Thursday, January 11 - vs. Lake Superior State at 7:30 p.m.
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Game Host: State Farm / Jill Leonard
Saturday, January 13 - vs. No.12 Ferris State at 3 p.m.
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Game Host: Border Grill / Yoop Coop
A Word From Matt Majkrzak
"This is a huge week. This is basically two NCAA Tournament teams coming to Northern. They're both so well-coached, tough, and the home games are the ones you feel a little bit more pressure to take care of."
Last Time Out
Northern continued their dominance into the new year, scoring seven straight points with under two minutes left to extend their winning streak to seven in a clutch 63-61 win over Grand Valley State on Saturday. The win diminished a near four-year drought that the 'Cats had in Allendale. Northern now remains the last unbeaten team in conference play.
The 'Cats controlled the second half, outscoring the Lakers 35-27, while holding them to a 7-26 (26.9%) from the field. NMU would go on to impose their will on the defensive side, forcing GV into four more turnovers in the second half.
Dylan Kuehl led the way for the 'Cats with 16 points, while
Carson Smith contributed with 15.
Sam Schultz hauled in ten points to go along with his eight rebounds.
Cat Nips
- Northern is averaging 82.1 ppg while allowing 71.4 ppg. The 82.1 points per game is second in the GLIAC. NMU is shooting 48.8% from the floor and 33.5% from downtown. The 'Cats are also averaging 7.1 more rebounds a contest than their opponents, good for 27th in the nation. NMU is only allowing 7.3 offensive rpg, the best mark among conference teams. NMU's 1.58 assist/turnover ratio is 11th across Division II.
- The 'Cats are near the top of the conference in both creating assists on offense and preventing assists on defense, as their 16.8/game is second most while the 8.9/game they allow is the fewest.
- NMU has had one of the stingiest defenses in the country during its seven-game winning streak, allowing just 58.7 ppg on just a 38.4% shooting clip.
- The Green and Gold offense is led by Dylan Kuehl (17.7 ppg), who is second in the GLIAC in scoring. He is shooting an efficient 55.1% this season. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 19.6 points a game on an outstanding 60.7% (65-107) field goal percentage with a 70.7% (58-82) two-point FG% in that span.
- Four other Wildcats are averaging in double figures: Max Weisbrod (13.8), Carson Smith (12.5), , Sam Schultz (10.7), and Brian Parzych (10.4). Northern is the only conference team to have five in double figures.
- Sam Schultz leads the GLIAC at 10.3 rebounds/game, which is good for 13th in the country. Averaging 10.7 points/game, he is one of 16 in DII to be averaging a double-double.
- Kuehl was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week on January 8 after five blocks over the last two games. It is his second time receiving the honor this season. 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 Wildcats are 75-50 (.600) under 5th year head coach Matt Majkrzak. With 25 victories at Bryant and Stratton before he got to NMU, Majkrzak recently hit the 100 collegiate wins milestone in NMU's victory at Grand Valley.
Notes on Lake Superior State
The Lakers enter Thursday's matchup at 9-4 overall and 1-2 in the GLIAC. They have won five of their last seven games, recently losing to Ferris State 90-86. LSSU scores 74.3 ppg while allowing 73.7 ppg in conference play. The Lakers shoot 46.4% from the floor and 40.2% from three. Shooting the ball from deep has been LSSU's bread and butter this year, as they lead the GLIAC in three-pointers made/game (10.7) and three-point attempts/game (26.6).
The offense is led by junior forward Kingsley Perkins averaging 12.9 ppg while shooting an efficient 56.8% from the field. Junior guard Tyson Edmondson is second in command averaging 12.0 ppg, and 1.5 steals/game on the defensive end.
In two meetings last season, the Wildcats were victorious at home winning 87-72. The Cats' dropped the road game 65-61.
Max Weisbrod averaged 13 points/game for Northern.
Notes on Ferris State
The Bulldogs enter the weekend ranked No.12 in the country with a 12-2 overall and 2-1 within conference play. FSU is currently on a six-game winning streak, and have only lost one game on the road this year.
Ferris State averages 90.9 ppg, which leads the conference, while only allowing 69.2. They shoot 51.4% from the floor, and 42.2% from beyond the three-point line, which is first in the GLIAC. The Bulldogs have dominated on the defensive side of the ball this season, as they are first in blocks per game (5.5), and first in steals per game (9.1). The Bulldog attack is led by Ethan Erickson (13.6 ppg) and Ben Davidson (12.6 ppg).
In three meetings last season, the Wildcats beat the Bulldogs twice.
Max Weisbrod and Dlyan Kuehl each averaged 12.7 ppg for NMU while Ben Davidson led the offense for the Bulldogs averaging 12.0 ppg in the three contests.
