North Michigan News

The Northern Michigan men's basketball team is set to face off against Michigan Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This will be the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. ET in Springfield, Illinois.

Northern Michigan enters the tournament with a record of 22-9 and is making its third consecutive appearance in the event after winning the GLIAC Tournament title as a No. 4 seed. The Wildcats secured victories over Grand Valley, Michigan Tech, and Lake Superior State to claim their championship.

"The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the Round of 32 to take on No. 2 Lake Superior State or No. 7 Lincoln on Sunday, March 16 at 6 p.m. ET," according to official sources.

Coach Matt Majkrzak expressed his thoughts on their recent success: "Of the three championships we won, this one was the most fun... We really, really earned this one by going through the heart of the league."

In their recent GLIAC Tournament win over Lake Superior State Lakers with a score of 78-63, Jackson Dudek led Northern Michigan with a season-high performance earning him MVP honors for his average points across games during that period.

Northern Michigan has shown strong defensive play throughout this season allowing only an average of 68.3 points per game while scoring at a rate of 74.3 points per game themselves.

Their opponent, Michigan Tech holds a national rank of No.23 and had been on an eight-game winning streak before losing to Northern in the GLIAC Semifinals recently by just one point.

GLIAC Player of Year Marcus Tomashek leads Michigan Tech's offense averaging over twenty-three points each match contributing significantly under Coach Josh Buettner who also received accolades as Coach Of The Year within conference circles once again adding more depth towards understanding why they pose formidable competition yet again come Saturday afternoon showdown against familiar rivals such Wildcats who’ve already proven capable when facing adversity head-on previous times around too despite having lost twice earlier during regular-season encounters beforehand though managed securing narrow victory last time out semifinal stages playoffs setting up intriguing clash now about unfold soon enough yet another thrilling chapter storied rivalry perhaps even more so than ever before given circumstances surrounding both sides currently standing momentarily poised deliver exciting spectacle surely await fans everywhere watching closely eager see unfolds next few days ahead indeed!