Northern Michigan University’s Dylan Kuehl, right, looks for a way around Wayne State defender Ray Williams Jr. during a GLIAC men’s basketball game played at the PEIF Gym in Marquette on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — Forward Dylan Kuehl of the Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

This is the second time the sophomore from Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, has earned this honor, following up one he earned three weeks ago.

The latest honor is the third time an NMU player has been honored in men’s basketball, all on defense, as Sam Schultz was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week in the second week of the season.

For this week’s honor, Kuehl helped the Wildcats keep a pair of conference opponents to only an average of 62.0 points per game in two wins — NMU’s 81-63 victory at Davenport and 63-61 triumph at Grand Valley State.

Against Davenport, Kuehl pulled down seven rebounds, made a pair of steals and blocked two shots while dishing out six assists and scoring 15 points, then against GVSU, he blocked three shots, made three rebounds and scored 16 points.

For the season, Kuehl ranks sixth in the GLIAC in all games with 6.2 rebounds per contest, third in blocked shots at 1.3 a game and second in scoring at 17.7 points per game.

Last year, Kuehl was named to the GLIAC First Team and All-Defensive Team, along with the GLIAC All-Academic Team, then before this season began, he was named to the GLIAC Preseason First Team.

Just two weeks into the current conference schedule, split between one week in early December and last week, the Wildcats are the only undefeated team in the GLIAC at 4-0 while they also have an 11-5 overall mark after winning their last seven.

Northern returns home to play two more league games this week at the Berry Events Center, hosting Lake Superior State at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Ferris State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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