Northern Michigan University’s Dylan Kuehl dunks during the first half of a GLIAC men’s basketball game played against Saginaw Valley State at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — Coming off a big two-win weekend at home, the Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team hits the road downstate today and Saturday while trying to stay in the hunt for the regular-season title in the GLIAC.

Though the Wildcats are only in fourth place, they trail leaders Lake Superior State and Michigan Tech by just two games and third-place Ferris State by a single game, all teams having another eight games remaining.

At 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the conference, Northern travels to University Center between Saginaw and Bay City to play Saginaw Valley State at 7:30 p.m. today, then heads south to Detroit to take on Wayne State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Both games can be watched online on the FloSports app, or listen to them on the radio at WUPT 100.3 FM The Point.

Or fans can follow @NMU_MensBBALL and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly Twitter) for updates leading up to and during games. Or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the men’s basketball schedule for links to live video, live audio, live statistics, game previews and team histories.

Both opponents are in the middle of the league standings, SVSU at 9-11 overall and 5-7 for eighth place in the GLIAC, while Wayne State is right above the Cardinals at 10-10 and 6-6, tied for sixth.

These are rematches of games played in Marquette in mid-January when the Wildcats lost to Wayne State 82-67 and defeated Saginaw Valley 75-62.

“The challenge is going to be to not overreact to either results from earlier this season,” NMU head coach Matt Majkrzak said. “The key for us is to take away the first five minutes of the game both nights and not let them see a bunch of 3s go in.

“I hope we can have some success guarding both of these teams.”

Last week, the Wildcats thumped Grand Valley State 79-52 and Davenport 86-57 at Vandament Arena.

NMU employed its trademark defense, with Northern still second in league scoring defense allowing 66.8 points per game, even as its offense is only eighth at 73.4 ppg.

Dylan Kuehl is 10th in conference scoring at 15.4 ppg, while Julien Smith is next on the team at 11.8 ppg, then Sam Privet at 10.2 ppg.

Last weekend, new starter Jackson Dudek averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds in the two games, making 13 of 15 shots (87%).

SVSU is on a three-game winning streak, including a 103-100 overtime victory over Purdue Northwest on Saturday.

The Cards are 31st in the country in 3-point attempts with 26.9 per game. Guards Toodles Seal is at 15.5 ppg and Freddie McIntosh at 15.3 ppg. SVSU averages 75.5 ppg for and 74.5 ppg against, shooting 45% from the field and 33% on 3s.

The all-time series is tied 41-41 with NMU winning the last seven.

Wayne State defeated Wisconsin-Parkside 80-63 Saturday to get back to .500 in both its records. The Warriors average 73.9 ppg and give up 71.3 ppg. They also shoot 45% from the floor and 34% on triples.

Their unique three-headed attack in the GLIAC includes Rob Lee Jr. at 15.2 ppg, Tamario Adley at 14.9 ppg and Carmelo Harris at 13.7 ppg, with Lee pumping in a career-high 40 points vs. NMU in the earlier matchup this season.

The Wildcats are also even at 42-42 vs. WSU, with the Warriors winning the last two after Northern had won the previous six.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the games. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.