What’s Up This Weekend: MSU will take on two ranked teams as it opens its 2010-11 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule this weekend. The Mavericks play #18 Wayne State Friday at 6 p.m., and #17 Augustana  Saturday at 4 p.m. Both games will be held in Mankato at the Taylor Center.
 
MSU/ Wayne State History: The Mavericks hold a 4-4 record over the Wildcats in eight meetings. Minnesota State has won two of the three meetings since joining the NSIC. Last year, the teams met only once, as Wayne State beat MSU 76-56 in late January. The two teams are scheduled to play twice this season, with the second meeting coming in February.
 
Scouting the Wildcats: #18 Wayne State is 3-1 this season, with its only loss coming to Colorado Christian 60-61. Shooting 39 percent from the floor, the Wildcat offense averages 67.5 points per game in four games this season. Wayne State averages a whooping 18 points per game off free throws. The Wildcats are led by Ashley Arlen, who averages 14.3 points per game. Senior forward Alyssa Fischbach leads the team in rebounds with 41, averaging 10.3 per game. Senior Center Mara Hjelle is second on the team in points and rebounds, averaging 12.3 points per game and eight rebounds per game this season. Chris Kielsmeier is in his third year as head coach for the Wildcats.
 
MSU/ Auggie History: In the 58 meetings, Augustana owns the series 36-22 over MSU. In the last four meetings, the Mavericks have won three of them, losing last season 59-61. In the series, which dates back to 1982, Minnesota State rattled off nine wins in a row from 1984-87, meanwhile the Vikings owned an 18-game winning streak  against the Mavericks from 1989-97. In the last ten meetings the teams have split the series 5-5.
 
About the Vikings: #17 Augustana is 7-0 coming into the weekend. The Vikings have scored over 90 points in every game but one, averaging 91 points per game. With that said, the Vikings hold opponents to an average of 53 points per game, good for a +38 scoring margin average. Augustana is shooting 48 percent, including 34 percent from three point range. Auggie has five players averaging more than ten points per game, including senior Megan Doyle who averages 16.3 points per game. Sophomore forward Alex Feeney is shooting 60 percent from the floor, averaging 11.9 points per game and a team-leading 5.7 rebounds per game.

Where We Call Home: The Minnesota State women’s basketball team has called the friendly confines of Bresnan Arena at Taylor Center home for ten seasons. This season  MSU holds a perfect 3-0 at the Taylor Center. All-time, the Mavericks are 86-58 (.597) at Taylor Center, including a 16-2 mark in the 2008-09 season. The 16 wins were the most wins at Taylor Center in one season. In the 2009-10 season the Mavericks finished the season with an 11-3 record at the Taylor Center. This season the Mavericks are 3-0 at the Taylor Center.


MSU preview against Wayne State and Augustana: