What Lies Ahead:  The Minnesota State men's basketball team, ranked #5 in the latest NABC Division II poll returns to the Taylor Center this weekend for a pair of games against Bemidji State (Friday, 8 p.m.) and Minnesota Duluth (Saturday, 8 p.m.).

Promotions:  There will be plenty going on this weekend at the Maverick basketball games.  Friday's contest against Bemidji State will be sponsored by Subway and the first 500 fans will receive a Maverick Basketball shirt.  Saturday's game against Minnesota Duluth is the "McPack The Place" promotion with McDonalds.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a buy one, get one free Mac Snack wrap and McCafe coffee will be available while supplies last.  Ronald McDonald will also make an appearance.

Mason Granted Waiver:  On January 26th, 2010, the NCAA granted Minnesota State wing Jefferson Mason a season-of-competition waiver from the 2008-09 season, thus changing his eligibility to “Junior” status for the 2009-10 campaign.  Mason began the 2008-09 season at the University of Northern Colorado, playing six games for the Bears before transferring to MSU for the 2009 Spring Semester.

What's in a Win:  A win Friday would mark the 1,144th win in program history...It would also mark the 184th win for head coach Matt Margenthaler...A win Friday over the Beavers would mark the fourth time MSU has defeated BSU under head coach Matt Margenthaler and the 62nd win in program history against the Wildcats...A win Friday would be Minnesota State's 26th win as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference...Finally, a win Friday would mark the 13th consecutive win for Minnesota State in the Taylor Center, which would be the second-longest winning streak in the building.

Bits 'Bout the Beavers:  Bemidji State enters the weekend owners of a 7-10 record, including a 4-7 mark in league play which is good for a four-way tie in ninth-place in the standings.  Last weekends, BSU hosted its travel partner, Minnesota Duluth, and bested the Bulldogs, 71-69 behind 23 points from senior guard Seth Haake
   
As a squad, BSU is averaging 73.8 points per game while giving up 74.  The Beavers are shooting 47.8 percent form the floor and 35.8 percent from downtown while outrebouding their opponents by a +1.1 margin.  Haake leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game while junior wing Brady Fairbanks is second at 11 ppg and freshman guard Lance Rongstad is third at 10.6.  Sophomore guard Bryce Tesdahl is leading the team in rebounding at 5.4 per game and scores 9.9 per contest.  The Beavers are coached by Ryan Bowen who is in his 26-73 with the program.
 
MSU-BSU Noteables:  Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is 3-0 all-time against Bemidji State...Minnesota State is 61-31 all-time against BSU...In one career game against BSU, senior center Travis Nelson is averaging 21 points per game and 9.0 rebounds.

Bulldog Bites:  Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend owners of a 7-11 record and are 4-7 in the NSIC, which is marred in a four-way tie for ninth-place.  Last weekend, UMD fell to Bemidji State, 71-69, despite a game-high 29 points from sophomore guard Ryan Rasmussen.
   
As a team, UMD is scoring 66.1 points per game while giving up 75.7 points.  The squad is shooting .399 from the floor and .388 from downtown and are being outrebounded, by 5.7 boards per game.
   
Rasmussen leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game, while senior wing Ron White is second in scoring at 14 ppg and leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.4 per game.

MSU-UMD Noteables:  Minnesota State is 34-29 all-time against Minnesota Duluth while head coach Matt Margenthaler is 10-3 all-time against the Bulldogs...Senior center Travis Nelson and junior guard Marcus Hill lead active Mavericks in scoring against UMD, averaging 8 points per game.

On the Air:   Fans can follow Minnesota State men's basketball all season long on the Radio Mankato family of stations.  Tune into  FM 100.5 KXAC  at roughly 7:40 p.m. for the pregame show featuring MSU Athletic Hall of Distinction member Casey Lloyd.   Former MSU standout Kory Kettner will add commentary to home and select road broadcasts.  Saturday's game will start at the same time and will be aired on AM 1230 KYSM the fan Mankato.  Fans can also listen to the games on the world wide web at www3.mnsu.edu/athletics

What Lies Ahead:  Minnesota State wraps up its four-game homestand next weekend against Minnesota, Crookston and MSU Moorhead.  Both games are slated to begin at 8 p.m.

To view the complete version of the notes, click HERE