What Lies Ahead:  Seventh-ranked Minnesota State wraps up a four-game road trip this weekend as they travel to Upper Iowa and Winona State.  Tip-off Friday against the Peacocks is slated for 8 p.m., while tip-off Saturday against Winona State is scheduled for 7 p.m.

What's in a Win:  A win Friday would mark the 1,139th win in program history...It would also mark the 180th win for head coach Matt Margenthaler...A win against Upper Iowa would mark the eighth win against the Peacocks for the Mavericks under head coach Matt Margenthaler...A win Friday would also mark the 20th victory for the Mavericks as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Peacock Ponderings:  Upper Iowa enters the weekend owners of a 6-7 record, including a 3-3 mark in the NSIC.  Last weekend UIU dropped a pair of road league decisions to the University of Mary (85-71) and Northern State (92-75). 
    The Peacocks are averaging 72.8 points per game and are shooting .453 from the floor.   Junior guard Matt Lesan who is averaging 12.1 points per game and is shooting .448 from the floor and .467 from three-point land.  Sophomore wing Keith Steffeck is second on the squad in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game to go with his team-high four rebounds per contest.  The Peacocks are coached by Brian Dolan who is 23-73 in Fayette.

MSU-UIU Noteables:  Minnesota State is 7-0 all-time against Upper Iowa...All seven wins have come with Matt Margenthaler as head coach of the Mavericks...Among active players, three Mavericks have averaged five points against UIU as junior Joe Drapcho is averaging 5.0 points in two career games, joining junior guard Marcus Hill (two games) and senior center Travis Nelson (one game) as Mavericks to average five points against UIU.

Wondering About the Warriors?:  Winona State enters this weekend with a 10-3 record and are coming off a weekend where it split a pair of road games, downing Northern State 75-56, before dropping an 87-85 overtime decision at Mary.
    The Warriors are averaging 85.8 points per game and shooting 52 percent as a team from the floor.  Senior guard David Johnson leads the team in scoring, averaging 22.7 points per game, while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor and 47.7 from downtown.  Sophomore guard Jon Walburg is second on the squad in scoring at 10.8 points, while sophomore Joel Armstrong leads the team in rebounding at 4.9 rebounds per game.
    The Warriors are coached by Mike Leaf who is in his 12th season with the program and owns a 260-101 career record.

MSU-WSU Noteables:  MSU is 77-37 all-time against Winona State...Head coach Matt Margenthaler is 4-8 in his career against the Warriors...Minnesota State is 1-0 against Winona State this season, earning a 81-74 victory in the NSIC HoopsFest in Novemember...MSU's last win against Winona State in McGown Gymnasium came on Dec. 3, 2004, when it earned an 92-84 victory....Senior center Travis Nelson has played in two games against Winona State and is averaging 21 points per game and four rebounds against the Warriors while shooting.750 from the floor...Senior guard Jefferson Mason also added 18 points in his first-ever game against WSU last November.

On the Air:   Fans can follow Minnesota State men's basketball all season long on the Radio Mankato family of stations.  Tune into  AM 1230 KYSM the Fan Friday 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.  Fans can also listen to the games on the world wide web at www3.mnsu.edu/athletics

What Lies Ahead:  Minnesota State returns to the Taylor Center Jan. 15, for a date with Concordia University.

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