THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK MEN'S HOOPS
UIU men's basketball heads to Just A Game Fieldhouse in the Wisconsin Dells to take on Northern Michigan on Saturday at 12:10 p.m. The Peacocks come into the weekend 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the GLVC. Both of these teams are ranked in the Midwest Region, as NMU is listed 6^th and the Peacocks right behind in 7^th in the latest D2CSC Midwest Regional Poll. 
 
LIVE OPTIONS 
Fans unable to travel to the tournament this weekend can follow along with live stats and a pay-per-view webcast through the links attached to this story or the links at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. 
 
NABC RANKINGS
Peacock men's hoops were ranked No. 25 in the latest poll released by the NABC on Tuesday and are the only GLVC school listed in the rankings. Missouri S&T is receiving votes (2) for the first time this season. 
 
CHASING THE All-TIME WINS RECORD
Head Coach Brooks McKowen's tenure with the Peacocks began in the 2013-14 season, and since then, he has racked up a total of 195 wins, tied with Bill Prochaska for the most in program history. Prochaska coached Upper Iowa from 1971-92. 
 
McKowen's next win at the helm will make him the program's all-time winningest coach.
 
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
Northern Michigan is 6-2 on the year and 2-0 in the GLIAC and is currently on a three-game win streak after defeating Concordia University Wisconsin, Purdue Northwest and UW Parkside. Before those wins, they fell to two ranked opponents: MSU Moorhead (82-71) and Minnesota Duluth (79-67). 
 
The Wildcats are in a three-way tie for first in the early portion of the race for the conference crown. They rank second in the league in defense, allowing their opponents 67.5 points per contest while allowing them 27.9 boards per game. They are led in scoring by Dylan Kuehl with 15 per game, followed by Julien Smith (13.3) and Sam Privet (10.1). 
 
FLASHBACK TO LAST SEASON AT JAG
The Peacocks opened their 2023-24 campaign in Wisconsin Dells against the Wildcats and fell in an 85-75 decision. This was the only time in program history that the two teams met. NMU The Wildcats held an early 17-7 lead five minutes into the first
half, leaving the Peacocks to claw their way back within reach. UIU brought the score within four after two free throws from Nick Reid, trailing NMU 21-17. Northern Michigan would later extend their lead back to double digits after going on a 6-0 burst with
three straight buckets at the basket but would conclude the first half only up by eight after UIU sank two at the charity stripe.
 
The lead from the yellow and green stretched out as far as 15 points after they made another 6-0 run five minutes into the second half (55-40). UIU notched an and-one in the next possession to try and spark some life for the Peacocks, followed by a three-point basket from Reid, bringing UIU within nine. 
 
Northern Michigan kept outside Upper Iowa's grasp as the Peacocks could not come closer than a six-point margin. UIU was down 81-75 with 44 seconds left in the game, as they were forced to send the Wildcats to the line to stop the clock and attempt to get the ball back for a couple of quick scores. NMU converted everything from the line as they went 4-4 at the charity stripe to defeat Upper Iowa in an 85-75 final. 
 
STATISTICAL TIDBITS
Upper Iowa is ninth in rebounds per game in NCAA DII with 43.56, while Nick Reid is listed 7^th in defensive rebounds per contest (8.11), and Kyle Hrncir is 17^th in offensive rebounds per game (8.3). In the GLVC, the Peacocks are first in blocks per game (4.2), rebounds per game (43.56) and offensive rebounds per game (8.3). They are listed second in scoring offense (83.6 PPG) and assist/turnover ratio (1.37).
 
NEXT PLAY
The Peacocks have one lone game next week before the holiday break. They travel to Chicago, Ill. to challenge Roosevelt University on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.