MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan men's basketball team secured the outright GLIAC regular season title against Davenport with a 21-9 overall record and 14-4 mark in GLIAC play. 

The No. 1 Wildcats will host the No. 8 Purdue Northwest Pride on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Berry Events Center. The Pride enter at 13-15 and 7-11, losing its last three. 

Fans can purchase tickets HERE, valid for both the women's and men's games. 


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Wednesday, March 6 - vs. No. 8 Purdue Northwest at 7:30 p.m.
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Last Time Out
NMU cut down the nets in the regular season finale as its 83-64 victory over the Davenport Panthers secured the outright GLIAC regular season title for the first time since the 1992-93 season. 

NMU had five in double figures led by 16 from honored senior Carson Smith and a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double from another senior in Sam Schultz. NMU shot over 50% from the floor for the eighth time this campaign, going 31-57 (54.4%) while holding Davenport to 25-60 (41.7%). 


Cat Nips

• The Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in the latest Midwest Regional poll behind UIndy and Kentucky Wesleyan. 
• The Berry has been one of the toughest environments for road teams in all of Division II. Since February of 2022, the Wildcats are 24-2 (.923) on the hardwood in the BEC. Both losses came at the hands of Grand Valley. 
• For a program that has been around for well over 100 years (since 1906), the Wildcats tied the longest winning streak in program history earlier this season at 13 games, set in 1984-85.
• All five starters have had multiple games leading the team in scoring: Kuehl (11), Weisbrod (11), Smith (5), Parzych (3), Schultz (2). 
• Sam Schultz leads the GLIAC at 9.6 rebounds/game, which is good for 16th in the country. He also leads the conference in all offensive and defensive rebounding categories. 
• Over his last 11 games Max Weisbrod has been one of the best players in the country, averaging 21.8 points/game while shooting an efficient 36-80 (45.0%) from beyond the arc. On the season, he now sits fifth in the GLIAC in scoring (17.1), second in assists/game (4.4), and tied for second in three-pointers made (75-189, 39.7%). In conference play, his 19.1 ppg and 48 triples are third. 
• Carson Smith has scored in double figures in each of his last seven, averaging 16.6 points/game.
• The 1.68 assist/turnover ratio for the 'Cats is the fifth best mark in the country. Northern is also averaging 4.9 more rebounds a contest than its opponents, good for 34th in the nation and second in the GLIAC to Ferris State (6.4). NMU is only allowing 7.6 offensive rpg, also the best mark among conference teams. 
• The Wildcats average 80.4 ppg while allowing 72.8 ppg. The 80.4 points per game is second in the GLIAC. Northern has allowed the third fewest points/game in conference play (71.6). NMU is ranked third in the conference in FG%, shooting 47.5% from the floor.
• The 'Cats are near the top of the conference in both creating assists on offense and preventing assists on defense, as its 15.7/game is the third most while the 10.2/game they allow is the fewest.  
• The Wildcats are 85-54 (.612) under 5th year head coach Matt Majkrzak. With 25 victories at Bryant and Stratton before he got to NMU, Majkrzak hit the 100 collegiate wins milestone in NMU's victory at Grand Valley earlier this season. 

Notes on Purdue Northwest
The Pride wrapped up the regular season at 13-15 and 7-11 in conference play. PNW has lost its last three to Parkside, Lake Superior State, and Ferris State. The Pride have four victories in 13 tries this season including a 1-8 GLIAC road record, with the lone win coming at Grand Valley State. 

PNW has the best defense on the three-point line in the GLIAC, holding the opposition to 34.7%. On offense, the Pride are 33.6% from deep. The attack is led by Brendan Temple averaging 13.7 an outing. His 56.9 FG% is the 5th best amongst conference players. CJ Jackson is right behind in scoring with 13.3. 


This Season vs. the Pride
The Wildcats edged Purdue Northwest in both meetings this season,  82-78 in Hammond on January 18 and 69-66 victory in Marquette on February 10. Brian Parzych scored 24 and Max Weisbrod added another 23 in the road win and Dylan Kuehl led the way at home with 22 followed by 20 from Weisbrod. PNW's Brendan Temple averaged 23 points/game in the two meetings. 


GLIAC Tournament
Wednesday, March 6 | Quarterfinals
Campus sites, higher seed is host

Game 1    No. 1 Northern Michigan vs. No. 8 Purdue Northwest, 7:30 p.m.     
Game 2    No. 4 Grand Valley State vs. No. 5 Michigan Tech, 8 p.m.    
Game 3    No. 3 Ferris State vs. No. 6 Parkside, 7:30 p.m.    
Game 4    No. 2 Lake Superior State vs. No. 7 Wayne State, 7 p.m.    

Saturday, March 9 | Semifinals
Hosted by highest seed remaining following the quarterfinals

Game 5    Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2    
Game 6    Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4    

Sunday, March 10 | Championship 
Hosted by highest seed remaining following the quarterfinals

Game 7    Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6