Josh Dilling is headed home this weekend with a little extra motivation. The Oshkosh North (Wis.) graduate, now in his final season of college basketball, returns to Wisconsin as Northern Kentucky faces Green Bay on Friday and Milwaukee on Sunday.
Dilling, a fifth-year guard, spent four seasons at the Division II level with three different programs before transferring to NKU last offseason. Green Bay and Milwaukee didn’t recruit him out of high school or show much interest when he hit the transfer portal. Now, with a large contingent of family and friends in the stands, he’ll have a chance to remind them of what they overlooked.
“I’m just excited to come home and play in Wisco against Green Bay and Milwaukee and just enjoy it,” Dilling said. “The journey itself has been a blessing. It’s really worked out. Never would I have thought when I started at Crookston that it would be to this point. My mom always has said that if this basketball thing really works out for you that you could write one hell of a book. It’s crazy how fast time flies, but it has been good, and I’m excited.”
Dilling’s path to Division I basketball wasn’t conventional. It also wasn’t easy. His college journey is a story defined by hard work and perseverance.
In high school, Dilling sent countless emails to Division I and Division II programs across Wisconsin and neighboring states, hoping for a chance. He received plenty of Division III interest but sought an opportunity to compete at the highest level possible.
Then, out of the blue, Division II Minnesota Crookston called during his senior year of high school. Two weeks later, in April 2020, he accepted the offer.
Dilling averaged 14.7 points per game as a freshman during Crookston’s COVID-shortened season before transferring to Division II powerhouse Queens University (N.C.) in 2021-22 to play for Bart Lundy. When Lundy left for Milwaukee, Dilling hit the portal again, landing at Northern State (Minn.), where he started for two seasons, averaging 18.7 points as a senior.
Dilling scored 1,281 points in his four years at three DII programs, emerging as a proven scorer and reliable shooter. Now, in his final season, he’s proving he belongs on the Division I stage.
“It’s been a journey,” Dilling said. “It’s honestly not one I would ever change because I have been able to experience so much change and meet so many people along the way.”
Each time Dilling entered the transfer portal, interest from Wisconsin’s two mid-major Division I programs, Green Bay and Milwaukee, was minimal.
After two highly productive seasons at Northern State, where he shot 43.2% from 3, Dilling entered the portal again last offseason. He had brief conversations with Green Bay assistant Zach Malvik for about two weeks, but those ended when Malvik took the head coaching job at Division III Eau Claire (Wis.).
Milwaukee never seriously pursued Dilling at any stage of his career. He briefly remembers Milwaukee’s last staff, led by then-coach Pat Balwin, texting him when he was in the portal after his freshman season in 2021. Last offseason, he wasn’t necessarily surprised not to hear from Milwaukee, given his past experience with Lundy at Queens and the type of players Lundy typically targets.
Regardless of either school’s interest, Dilling prioritized finding the right fit for his final season. He took three visits last offseason before landing at Northern Kentucky, drawn to the program’s culture, winning track record and a system that fit his game.
“When I transferred from Northern State, I wanted to make the most of it,” Dilling said. “My goal was to find a place that had the right fit. They prepare for March. They prepare for the tournament. It was a bonus that I was going to play at least two conference games back home. This was a surefire slam dunk for me. I am very thankful to be here.”
Dilling has been a steady contributor for NKU this season, averaging 11.6 points on 40.9% shooting, including 39.8% from 3, in 28.8 minutes per game as a starter.
Dilling is embracing his role on the team while trying to help the Norse earn an NCAA Tournament berth. NKU has made three trips to March Madness since becoming a full Division I member in 2016, and Dilling wants to help add another.
The Norse (11-14, 6-8 Horizon League) are starting to turn the corner after a six-game losing streak in January. They’ve won two of their last three, including a 10-point victory over Cleveland State, snapping the conference leader’s 13-game winning streak.
“If we can make the run in March like we have been preparing for, it’s really going to be the cherry on top of everything,” Dilling said. “It’s really been a blessing. It’s been a lot of fun.”
