Northern Set to Battle Downstate Rivals in Two Exciting GLIAC Showdowns

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan men’s basketball squad has achieved five consecutive victories and aims to maintain that momentum into 2025 as the Wildcats prepare to visit the Lower Peninsula to compete against Davenport and Grand Valley State. 

NMU (8-2, 2-0) will first make a stop at Davenport to encounter the Panthers (4-6, 0-2) on Thursday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m. Subsequently, Northern will move to the opposite side of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area to Allendale for a matchup with the Grand Valley State Lakers (6-4, 2-0) on Saturday, January 4 at 3 p.m.

Listeners can tune in on 100.3 The Point, with Casey Ford providing coverage. 

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Stay updated by following @NMU_MensBBALL and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly known as Twitter) for news leading up to and throughout the events. 

Thursday, January 2 – at Davenport at 7:30 p.m.

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Saturday, January 4 – at Grand Valley State at 3 p.m.

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About the ‘Cats

Last played on December 21, NMU triumphed over Division III Northland College 83-37 in Marquette. Prior to that, NMU secured an impressive victory against No. 25 Upper Iowa in Wisconsin Dells, winning 79-76. The Wildcats have competed in only one genuine away match this season, suffering a 79-67 loss at No. 6 Minnesota Duluth. 

The Wildcats boast the most formidable defense in the GLIAC this season, permitting just 65.3 points per game and 28.7 rebounds from opponents. The ‘Cats rank third in the conference, averaging 8.1 steals per game, with Gerald Gittens Jr. (1.7) and Biggie Luster (1.5) leading the charge. Gittens Jr. has recorded six games with multiple steals, including in each of the last four matches. Luster is coming off a 6-steal performance against Northland, a feat not seen from a Wildcat since 2019. 

Dylan Kuehl leads the team offensively with averages of 14.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He has scored a minimum of 10 points, made at least five field goals, and shot 50.0% or better from the field in each of the last eight outings. Earlier this season, he surpassed the 1,000 career-points milestone, becoming the 35th player in program history to enter the esteemed 1K club, and the first since Max Bjorklund (2/17/22). Kuehl was named to the All-GLIAC Preseason First Team following his selections to the All-GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team in his initial two seasons.

Julien Smith (13.4) and Sam Privet (10.3) are also contributing in double digits, while Brian Parzych (8.9) and Gerald Gittens Jr. (8.7) complete a well-rounded starting five. 

Now in his sixth year at the helm, Matt Majkrzak is aiming to lead the ‘Cats to a third successive NCAA Tournament, following back-to-back appearances. The last two campaigns have been among the most successful in program history. In 2022-23, Northern secured its first GLIAC Tournament title since 2000. The Wildcats concluded that year with a record of 25-8, marking the most victories in program history, and advanced to the Round of 32. The following year, the Green and Gold had a 22-11 season and captured the GLIAC regular season title for the first time since the 1992-93 season with a conference record of 14-4. 

Majkrzak holds the title of reigning GLIAC Coach of the Year. Over his 6+ seasons, NMU has posted a record of 93-58 (.616). Last year, Majkrzak and the Wildcats made history by hosting the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 1992-93. He is just the second coach in the program’s history to earn the conference Coach of the Year title, joining Dean Ellis from 1993. Despite last season’s injury challenges, Majkrzak adeptly adjusted the lineup to maintain functionality. The Wildcats matched the longest winning streak in program history last year with 13 victories, initially set in 1984-85. NMU averaged 79.2 points per game and allowed 76.7 points per game during the previous year. 

In the backcourt, NMU secured a group of four guards through the transfer portal: Julien Smith (Missouri S&T), Gerald Gittens Jr. (Mary), Derek Merwick (Midland), and Biggie Luster (Clarke). Smith ranks among the nation’s returning scoring leaders with 1,623 career points (15.9 ppg) accumulated during his four seasons at Missouri S&T, while Gittens averaged 13.8 ppg last year at the University of Mary. These players will complement Brian Parzych, a seasoned veteran in the backcourt. Parzych has averaged 10.6 points per game over the last two seasons and 3 assists per game throughout his career, representing the three guards anticipated to lead the backcourt. 

Northern also brought in four freshmen: Michael McNabb, Cody Schmitz, Jonny Ingalls, and Isaiah Allen. Collectively, these freshmen accumulated an impressive total of 8,216 career points in high school, indicating they will seamlessly integrate with the experienced players surrounding them.

A Look at Davenport

Boasting a 4-6 overall record, the Panthers have emerged victorious in their last two contests and stand at 3-3 on their home court. DU triumphed over Tiffin in a nail-biter, 62-61, in their latest game on December 21. 

Scoring an average of 71.1 points per game, the Panthers are shooting at 44.0% from the field. The offense is spearheaded by senior guard Jovan Tucker, who is averaging 18.0 points per game. His 122 shot attempts far exceed any other player on the team. 

Northern Michigan has a 14-3 advantage against DU and has secured four consecutive wins. Last season, the ‘Cats triumphed 81-63 in Grand Rapids and 83-64 in Marquette. 

A Look at Grand Valley State

The Lakers’ current record stands at 6-4 overall and 2-0 in GLIAC competition. GVSU faced two heartbreaking defeats in its last matches, falling 88-86 in a double overtime match against Indianapolis and a 94-91 loss to Illinois-Springfield in overtime. The Lakers hold a 2-3 record at home. 

With the offense averaging 80.9 points per game and leading the league with a 7.9 rebounding margin, four Lakers score in double figures each game, with Kaden Brown (13.3) and William Dunn (13.1) leading the charge. Mason Docks leads the GLIAC with an impressive 4.9 assists per game. 

Northern holds a record of 36 wins to 58 losses in 94 all-time encounters. The teams met three times last season, with NMU winning 63-61 in Allendale before GVSU defeated the Wildcats 106-99 (2OT) in Marquette and subsequently eliminated them in the GLIAC Tournament 92-77, again in Marquette. 

Superior Dome Showdown vs. Michigan State

On October 13, the Wildcats participated in what is regarded as their most significant preseason exhibition in program history, hosting DI powerhouse Michigan State in front of 11,500 fans during the Superior Dome Showdown, the largest indoor event ever in the history of the Upper Peninsula. The weekend featured much more than just the game and included the retirement of NMU alumnus Tom Izzo’s #10 jersey, with icons Bill Raftery and Lisa Byington providing commentary. The Wildcats demonstrated commendable effort but ultimately fell 70-53 to the Spartans, with Jackson Dudek leading the team with 14 points.