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MARQUETTE — Now comes the hard part for the Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team — a three-day road trip out of state as the target everyone else in the GLIAC is gunning for.

The Wildcats earned their status as target with their current nine-game winning streak that includes a 6-0 mark in the conference. NMU has a game-and-a-half lead on second-place Grand Valley State, which is 4-1.

In fact, one of Northern’s most recent losses came against an even bigger target — Minnesota State-Moorhead, which with its 15-1 record is ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division II in this week’s College Sports Communicators poll.

Northern Michigan University’s Brian Parzych, left, drives to the basket while being defended by Wayne State's Ray Williams Jr. during a GLIAC men’s basketball game played at the PEIF Gym in Marquette on Dec. 7. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

The Wildcats lost 83-79 at home vs. Moorhead on Nov. 25, a day before NMU’s last loss, a 74-72 setback to Minnesota-Duluth, which is ranked in the top 10 of the Central Region that also includes Moorhead.

The Wildcats, who have a 13-5 overall record, are themselves ranked No. 18 in the D2CSC national poll. That is actually a spot behind Ferris State, which NMU defeated 75-71 on Saturday.

Ferris was able to stay a spot ahead of Northern by virtue of a 13-3 overall record, even as they are only 3-2 in the GLIAC.

But that win against the nationally ranked Bulldogs probably propelled Northern out of the “others receiving votes” category and into the top 25, which is headed up by Minnesota State (16-0). And despite being a spot behind Ferris nationally, the Wildcats are at the top of the Midwest Regional rankings, just ahead of FSU as Lake Superior State is No. 9.

All of Northern’s records, win streaks and lofty conference standings will be put on the line starting at 8:30 p.m. EST today in Hammond, Indiana, when the Wildcats play at Purdue Northwest (8-7, 2-3 GLIAC), then at 4 p.m. EST Saturday when NMU makes a stop in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to play Wisconsin-Parkside (8-7, 3-2).

Both games will be broadcast by radio station WUPT 100.3 FM The Point as fans can also follow @NMUMensBBALL and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continuous updates throughout the week, or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and check under the men’s basketball schedule for links to game previews, live statistics, live video and live audio.

Wildcats head coach Matt Majkrzak knows the pitfalls of a midwinter road trip in the conference.

“This is a tough weekend and a tough road trip,” the fifth-year coach said in an NMU Sports Information release previewing the upcoming games. “Purdue Northwest has a lot of talent and their defensive pressure has given us trouble in the past, and Parkside is the only gym we haven’t won in.

“The key for us is can we capitalize every time we get a little bit of good fortune.”

NMU extended its win streak in the most dramatic of fashions at the Berry Events Center last week, outlasting LSSU 72-71 last Thursday evening before upending Ferris on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore guard Max Weisbrod was front and center at the end of both victories, earning him GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. He averaged 21.5 points over those two games, but it was his clutch shooting that put his team over the top.

Against Lake State, he hit the buzzer-beating shot with the end-of-game, red light around the backboard going off with his shot in the air. Then against the Bulldogs, he made three of four free throws and hit a 3-pointer as part of the Wildcats’ 8-0 run to end that game and erase a four-point deficit in the final two minutes.

NMU SI gleaned some other noteworthy statistics involving these Wildcats:

• The Wildcats’ 1.63 assist-to-turnover ratio is sixth nationally;

• NMU’s 81.2 points per game is second in the GLIAC as it allows 71.4 ppg. The team makes 49% of its shots from the field, including 35% on 3-pointers. During the nine-game win streak, NMU is allowing just 61.4 ppg and 41% shooting;

• Northern is conference No. 1 in several rebounding categories — its 5.9-rebound margin per game and allowing 7.4 offensive rebounds a contest.

• The team’s rebounding prowess is led by Sam Schultz, who leads the league with 10.1 rebounds per game, also good for 11th in NCAA Division II. Paired with his 10.2 ppg, he is still only one of 14 players nationally averaging a double-double. As an aside, No. 2 in GLIAC rebounding is Marquette Senior High School graduate and GVSU player Marius Grazulis at 9.4 a game, with no other league player averaging more than 7.1;

• In assists, the Wildcats are second in the GLIAC with 16.9 a game and second defensively, only allowing 9.7 each time out;

• NMU has four players scoring in double figures, led by Dylan Kuehl at 17.4 ppg, good for second in the league, as he shoots 54% from the field. In addition, Weisbrod averages 14.7 ppg, Carson Smith 12.3 and Schultz 10.2. Until recently, all five starters were in double figures, but Brian Parzych dipped just below that at 9.8 ppg as league statistics show 29 players on the league’s eight teams averaging double figures;

• Majkrzak recently won his 100th game as a head coach. With a 77-50 record at NMU (.606 winning percentage), he also has 25 victories at Bryant and Stratton for 102 total.

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MU SI’s scouting report on Purdue NW shows the Pride has lost four of their last five, though their last game was an 85-82 double-overtime win over Parkside. PNW scores at a 79.8 ppg clip while allowing 74.4 ppg as it shoots 45% from the field and 34% on 3s.

The Pride are especially strong rebounding, leading the GLIAC with 40.1 total rebounds and 28.5 defensive rebounds a game.

Senior guard CJ Jackson is sixth in conference scoring at 15.5 ppg as he shoots 46% from the field, while Brendan Temple is at 13.3 ppg and making 58% of his shots, including 47% on triples.

With this being their first meeting this season, NMU won both games last year, 84-78 in Indiana and 85-77 in Marquette to make it a four-game win streak in this series. As a freshman, Weisbrod averaged 14.5 ppg in last season’s contests.

Wisconsin-Parkside is involved in the GLIAC’s lowest scoring games, coming in last in scoring at 70.5 ppg but also first in defensive scoring at 65.7 ppg. The Rangers shoot 45% from the floor and 40% on 3s, the latter second in the conference.

Parkside, which also has the lowest league turnover rate at 10.1 a game, is led by Collin O’Rourke at 13.4 ppg and Josiah Palmer at 13.1 ppg.

Northern split with the Rangers last season, winning in Marquette 73-47 but losing in Kenosha 76-68.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.