Sports

Men’s Basketball kicks season off on road

Lily Gouin, Sports Editor

November 21, 2025

DUNK – Freshman Dylan Kuehl had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Saginaw Valley in the first round of the GLIAC tournament.

Photo courtesy of Caden Sierra

Basketball is back, Wildcats! Over the weekend, the NMU men’s basketball team had its season opener in Wisconsin Dells.

The team went 1-1 in the opening weekend and is currently unranked to start the season.

“We have higher expectations than that now. I think balancing emotionally, how you handle the thought that every loss feels like a major upset, and every team’s highlight of their year is is trying to beat you guys. I think that it’s different and we should be used to it,” Head Coach Matt Majkrzak said.

First the team competed against Maryville on Friday. The Wildcats came away with the blowout win over Maryville, 91-70, in the first game of the season for the ‘Cats. Putting up 44 points in the first half to Maryville’s 27, keeping them at bay from the start of the game.

Redshirt freshman Isaiah Allen scored 23 points, six rebounds and one assist in the win. Following Allen was redshirt sophomore guard Cal Klesmit, coming away from the game with nine points, one rebound and four assists. Redshirt junior guard Charlie Miller recorded 16 points, one rebound and one assist. Redshirt freshman guard Bennett Basich helped the ‘Cats with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

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This season is characterized by a young team, as the Wildcats welcomed seven true freshmen to the team this year.

The second night was a battle for the Wildcats. The team went up against Missouri — St Louis, where the ‘Cats were unable to close out the game. The game was a challenge for the ‘Cats in the first half, getting outscored by Missouri 42-28. Coming back in the second half, the ‘Cats found some momentum but were unable to come out on top, falling 80-67.

In the loss, graduate student Jackson Dudek recorded eight points and three rebounds. Fellow grad student Sam Privet also recorded eight points, two rebounds and one assist. The third graduate student on the roster, forward Dylan Kuehl, trying to rally the team, put up 19 points, six rebounds and three assists. Finally freshman Trevor Polite ended the game with seven points, one rebound and two assists.

“Dylan’s numbers were still fantastic. We just got to make sure we get him the ball more. And we can get him the ball on plays and we do a good job of that,” Majkrzak said.

The Wildcats will head back down to the Wisconsin Dells, this time to take on Northern State on Friday Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. Following the game against Northern State, the Wildcats will set their focus on Northwest Missouri State on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. The Wildcats will make their home season opener on Wednesday Nov. 26, as the team hosts UW-Concordia.

“It’s a violent, especially when you play the good teams, it’s a violent sport, played by violent grown men and we did not rise up to that level of physicality and violence and we have to simulate that in practice,” Majkrzak said.