The NMU men’s basketball team had a busy winter break playing eight times since early December, running their overall record to 6-7 and 1-5 in the GLIAC. Head coach Doug Lewis says the team needs to keep improving on the defensive end.
“We still have to get better defensively; we’re averaging about 76 points a game but we’re giving up 76 points a game,” Lewis said. “We’re still not playing the type of defense that I want us to play.”
The ’Cats gave up a season high 102 points in a loss to rival Michigan Tech on Dec. 4. However they bounced back with big wins over Northland College 86-47 on Dec. 10 and Finlandia 102-74 on Dec. 14. Then the Wildcats dropped a pair of close games at home on Dec. 18 against Grand Valley 52-61, and on Dec. 19 to Ferris State 63-73. On Dec. 30 the ’Cats traveled to Columbus to take on Ohio Dominican where they picked up their first conference win of the season in a 82-72 victory. Junior guard DeAndre Taylor led the offensive charge with 22 points, while junior guard Martin Gross added in 21 points. The ’Cats dropped their first two games of the new year against Tiffin on Jan. 2 76-73 and on Jan. 6 against Michigan Tech 60-74.
Taylor’s performance didn’t go unnoticed as he was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week on Jan. 3 after racking up 22 points against Ohio Dominican, and 21 points against Tiffin. He also added 11 rebounds and seven steals on the weekend. Taylor is averaging 14.5 points per game on the season while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
The ’Cats have also played through lineup changes over break since pre-season All-GLIAC team member guard Raymont McElroy is no longer with the team. Lewis understands it takes time to build chemistry but knows adjustments are part of the game.
“It’s an adjustment, because what you try to do is develop chemistry as far as guys knowing each other on the court, where they like the ball, who to pass to in certain in certain situations,” Lewis said. “The game of basketball is all about adjustments.”
The Wildcats hope to find those adjustments as they get set to host a pair of conference matchups this weekend at the Berry Events Center.
“This is a big weekend for us,” Lewis said. “One of our goals is to make the conference tournament; we haven’t made the conference tournament in five years. In order for us to accomplish that goal I think we have to win both games this weekend.”
On Thursday, Jan. 13 the ’Cats host Saginaw Valley State (0-6 in the GLIAC, 4-8 overall) at 5:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, Jan. 15 NMU will host Lake Superior State with tip off at 1 p.m. Junior center Jared Benson emphasized the importance of this weekend’s games.
“These are must win,” Benson said. “I think they’re definitely very winnable games so we have to come out ready to play and get after them early.”
Winter break scores
Dec. 18 – men’s – Grand Valley 61, Northern Michigan 52
Dec. 18 – women’s – Grand Valley 65, Northern Michigan 59
Dec. 19 – men’s – Ferris State 73, Northern Michigan 63
Dec. 19 – women’s – Ferris State 56, Northern Michigan 76
Dec. 30 – men’s – Northern Michigan 82, Ohio Dominican 72
Dec. 30 – women’s – Northern Michigan 54, Ohio Dominican 55
Jan. 2 – men’s – Northern Michigan 73, Tiffin 76
Jan. 2 – women’s – Northern Michigan 36, Tiffin 47
Jan. 6 – men’s – Northern Michigan 60, Michigan Tech 74
Jan. 6 – women’s – Northern Michigan 48, Michigan Tech 58
