North Michigan News

Graduate players Dylan Kuehl and Jackson Dudek have been named to the Preseason All-GLIAC team as the Northern Michigan University men's basketball team prepares for the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats, who won last season's GLIAC Tournament, are predicted to finish second in this year's preseason poll. The team returns a veteran frontcourt trio that has helped secure three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Northern Michigan has established itself as one of the most consistent programs in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), winning either a regular season or tournament championship each of the past three years and making three straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in its history. Last season, the Wildcats won the GLIAC Tournament by defeating Grand Valley State, Michigan Tech, and Lake Superior State.

Dylan Kuehl leads the team after earning All-GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team honors three times. He also received D2CCA All-Midwest Region and NABC All-District recognition last season. Kuehl averaged 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, scored in double figures in every conference game, and surpassed 1,000 career points.

Jackson Dudek, who was named GLIAC Tournament MVP, averaged 15.7 points during the tournament run, including 19 points in the championship game. Sam Privet completes the front line after starting all 32 games last season with averages of 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 56.4 percent shooting. Together, Kuehl, Dudek, and Privet contributed nearly 35 points and 17 rebounds per game.

The team welcomes nine new players this year, including Division I transfers Charlie Miller from Northern Iowa and Bennett Basich from UW-Green Bay. These additions are expected to strengthen the backcourt alongside the returning core as NMU aims to remain competitive in the GLIAC and advance further in the NCAA Tournament.

Head coach Matt Majkrzak enters his seventh season with a record of 108-66 overall and 69-43 in conference play. This season he is joined by assistants John-Michael Hughes and Luke Taylor. The coaching staff will guide a roster that combines experience with new talent as they pursue another successful campaign.