Northern Michigan University’s women’s basketball team is starting off the season 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 in an exhibition game against Butler University.
The Wildcats ended their season last year in the first round of NCAA Division II Midwest Regionals, with a 65-58 overtime loss against Quincy.
Looking forward to this Sunday, the Wildcats play the Bulldogs at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. The fieldhouse is located on Butler University’s campus, Indianapolis, Ind. and has hosted men’s and women’s basketball games along with volleyball games.
The sports arena has hosted many events from celebrity basketball games, to six presidents, U.S. Olympic basketball trials, a USSR-USA basketball game, All-Star Games for the NBA, ABA and the East-West College All-Stars.
The women’s head basketball coach at NMU, Troy Mattson, said the team is ready to play Butler. Mattson also said that the experience is something they are going to remember for the rest of their lives.
“Having the opportunity to go to Hinkle Fieldhouse, a legendary basketball facility across the country, is a great opportunity for us and we are looking forward to it,” Mattson said.
The Wildcats won the GLIAC tournament last season, while they finished second in the GLIAC regular season with a 16-6 GLIAC record.
Senior guard Alyssa Colla led all scorers, averaging 16.4 points per game.
Senior forward Abbey DeBruin said she’s ready to start the season.
“I think the whole team is excited to get their uniforms on, get out there, see where all of our hard work from this season and where we are at,” DeBruin said. “Play the game and have the competition.
“I think that it is important to be ready for our conference, knowing that our conference is tough. Playing high quality teams [like Butler] in preseason helps the team prepare as much as possible to play in conference.”
Mattson said the exhibition game on Sunday gives the team a shot to see where they are before the regular season begins.
“We would like to give everyone a chance to play, get the experience and see how we stack up against a big school with Dl players,” Mattson said.
“I think we have matured as a basketball team. We remain really humble about our opportunities and understand that there are a lot of good teams in this league. We need to be ready to play every single day and every single night.”
Butler University’s Women’s Basketball team ended the 2013-14 season 10-8 in the Best East Conference and 15-16 overall. Junior center Liz Stratman led all returning players on Butler’s roster in points per game averaging 13.1 points.
Senior forward Courtney Lemon said she is looking forward to the experience of playing Butler.
“Playing a Dl team is an experience itself,” Lemon said. “Seeing that we won GLIAC and knowing that we are that good and we can prove ourselves and really show who we are. We have the drive.”
NMU women’s basketball program has prepared and are ready to start the season off.
“We are excited about this upcoming season,” Mattson said. “We are hoping to remain healthy and fresh throughout the long year, so we can give ourselves the best opportunity to be a successful team again.”
DeBruin said the team is motivated again this year.
“I think that more than anything, having the taste of success last year has everyone motivated this year to get as far as we can,” DeBruin said.
Lemon said the team is ready to take the season to another level.
“This is my last year and I am looking forward to us going out with a bang,” Lemon said. “This team has become my family. I want us to go out there, do the best we can and have fun with it.”
