The series between Lakeland and Rockford dates back to 1961, and the two schools have split their last eight contests. The teams met most recently in the 2019-20 season when both teams won on the others' home court. The Regents pulled out an 87-85 victory at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium Jan. 7, 2020, but the Muskies came back for a 102-89 win on the road Feb. 18, 2020. Even with the Regents' recent success, Lakeland has won 13 of the last 18 in the series. The Muskies also won the first meeting ever 64-41 on Dec. 6, 1961, and won the first six meetings before Rockford's first win in Dec. 1999.

Lakeland last time out: Lost at MSOE 75-71 Wednesday
The Muskies saw a close game slip away in the final minutes as the Raiders made a few more plays down the stretch to sweep the season series between the NACC foes. Lakeland led for almost the entirety of the game's first 37 minutes and by as many as 13 points in the first half and by eight in the second half, but MSOE took the lead with 2:56 to play, setting up a back-and-forth of the teams trading the lead over the next five possesion until Ty Miklowski put the Raiders ahead for good with 1:39 left. The Muskies shot 39% for the game and were outrebounded 40-32 but stayed close with 11 three-pointers and making 14 of 18 free throws. The Raiders shot 61.5% in the second half, though, and outscored Lakeland 38-20 in the paint. Earl Lewis led the Muskies with 16 points off the bench.

Rockford last time out: Lost to Benedictine 59-56 Thursday
The Regents just missed a chance to jumble up the NACC standings even more, falling to the Eagles in a game that went down to the wire. Rockford trailed by six with less than five minutes left but came back to tie the game at 55-55. Benedictine took the lead back but the Regents had a chance to tie with 1.3 seconds left but could only convert one of two free throws, and the Eagles made two foul shots for the final score. A defense-first affair saw neither team shooting better than 37.5% and both combining to go 7-for-50 from three-point range. Micah Swanson led Rockford with a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

About the Regents: Rockford enters the game at 11-7 overall, 5-6 in the NACC and one-half game ahead of Lakeland in the conference standings, making today's game a battle for position. The Regents have been up and down, defeating previous conference leader St. Norbert twice but also being the only team to lose to Dominican in conference. The high-scoring Regents have four players averaging in double figures led by point guard Brandon Emerick's 15.4 ppg.

Rockford and Lakeland are currently near the end of a royal jumble in the NACC standings. Wisconsin Lutheran enters Saturday leading the league at 9-4, one-half game ahead of Benedictine and Concordia Wisconsin. Concordia Chicago and St. Norbert are both just one game behind WLC; Edgewood is one-half game behind those two teams, and Illinois Tech and Marian are just one-half game behind Edgewood. Rockford enters Saturday ninth in the NACC; Lakeland is 10th, one-half game behind.