Click the thumbnails to hear reaction from both NMU head coaches talking with RRN's Casey Ford.
It was Selection Sunday late Sunday night, and the Northern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams both heard their names called for trips to the NCAA-II tournaments.
The NMU ladies have earned an at-large bid into the 2026 Division II NCAA Tournament, marking the third straight season the Wildcats are in the big dance.
"It's an incredible feeling," NMU Coach Casey Thousand told RRN's Casey Ford at a late-night watch party at Vandament Arena. "Our team has earned it. To get to this point where we're playing in an NCAA Tournament, it's fun. It's exciting. It's March Madness. Crazy things happen."
At 25-7, Northern will be the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on GLIAC foe No. 4 Wayne State on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at host Grand Valley State
"They've beat us, we've beat them," Thousand said. "It should be another great game again. Another GLIAC battle in the NCAA tournament. We get an opportunity to play in March. We get one more game, and we have to earn the right to get more of them,"
Also in the region, No. 1 Grand Valley will play No. 8 Maryville, No. 2 Ferris State will contend No. 7 Missouri-St. Louis, and No. 3 Northwood will battle with No. 6 Malone.
Northern Michigan made the Round of 32 last season by defeating Hillsdale before falling to Ashland.
Meanwhile, the NMU men's basketball team also heard its name called for the big dance. For the fourth straight season, the men is in the field of 64 for the Division II NCAA Tournament, earning an at-large bid.
The Wildcats will be the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on No. 4 Rockhurst on Saturday, March 14 in North Canton, Ohio, hosted by No. 1 seed Walsh.
"I'm thrilled that we don't have to play a GLIAC team," NMU Coach Matt Majkrzak told RRN late Sunday night. "I have a lot of respect for Rockhurst, but I'm glad that we don't have to do the same song and dance and play a GLIAC team for the fourth time.Happy that we're on the other side of the bracket. If we see any of them, at least it will be in the Sweet 16."
Northern, despite a 27-5 record, dropped all the way to a fifth seed after suffering a loss to Grand Valley State earlier Sunday in the GLIAC championship game.
"We had 27 wins. Are we a five seed?;" Majkrzak said. "I don;t know. That part is what it is. But Canton, Ohio, I'm excited. We''re over the NCAA mileage, so we get to fly instead of a long (eleven hour) bus ride. You know, I"ve never been to Canton, Ohio. The Pro Football Hall of Fame seems fun. Making an NCAA Tournament is never something you want to take for granted."
Also in the Midwest, host Walsh will play No. 8 William Jewell, No. 3 Michigan Tech will clash with No. 6 Lake Erie, and No. 2 Grand Valley State meets No. 7 Ashland.
Northern Michigan traveled to Illinois-Springfield last season, where they fell to Michigan Tech in the first round.
