Great Lakes Wire

Northern Michigan University's men's basketball team is preparing for two conference games as they open GLIAC play. The Wildcats, with a record of 4-2, will face Purdue Northwest Pride and Parkside Rangers this week. The first game against the Pride, who are currently 2-4, is scheduled for Thursday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a match against the Rangers on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m.

These games mark the only conference matches Northern Michigan will play before the end of the year. Fans can listen to both games on 100.3 The Point with Casey Ford providing commentary.

Coach Matt Majkrzak commented on the upcoming challenge, stating, "We are still searching for how to mesh the talent we have into a cohesive team. It will be up to us in the first GLIAC game [against Purdue Northwest] to not let their talent and their guards take over."

Last weekend, NMU defeated Concordia (WI) with a score of 70-58 at Vandament Arena. Redshirt junior Dylan Kuehl achieved a personal milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points during that game. Kuehl was named to the All-GLIAC Preseason First Team and has been recognized for his defensive skills in previous seasons.

The Wildcats are currently second in the GLIAC with a turnover margin of 3.17. Julien Smith leads NMU's offense with an average of 14.7 points per game, closely followed by Kuehl at 14.3 points per game.

Majkrzak aims to lead NMU to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after successful seasons in recent years. Under his leadership, NMU won its first GLIAC Tournament title since 2000 and secured its first regular season title since the early '90s.

NMU's roster includes six returning players from last season and several new additions through transfers and freshmen recruits. Key newcomers include guards Julien Smith and Gerald Gittens.

Purdue Northwest enters their match against NMU leading the conference with an average of 87.3 points per game but also allowing an average of 82.7 points per game defensively.

Parkside holds a record of 2-4 this season and has struggled offensively compared to other teams in their conference.

In October, NMU hosted Michigan State in a notable preseason exhibition event known as the Superior Dome Showdown attended by over 11,500 fans—the largest indoor event in Upper Peninsula history.