What's Up:  The Minnesota State men's basketball team, 9-1, 5-1 NSIC, opens a three-game homestand Saturday as it entertains Minnesota State Moorhead in a 6 p.m., contest.  The Mavericks close the weekend with a 4 p.m., matinee against the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Scouting Dragons: In their final tune-up prior to the holiday break, the Dragons split a pair of games dropping a 73-66 decision to Wayne State before upending Augustana 64-61.  MSU Moorhead, owners of a 6-3 record overall, 3-2 in league play, is lead in scoring by junior guard Jake Driscoll who is one of five players in double figures at 13.7 points per game.   Junior center Dennis Williamson is averaging 13 points per game while junior guard Tarell Clark is averaging 12.8.  Junior guard Charlie Chapman is averaging 10.9 points per game and sophomore forward Alex Novak rounds out the players in double-figures at 10.8 points per contest.  Novak also leads the team in rebounding averaging 11.1 rebounds per contest.
   
As a team, MSU Moorhead is averaging 70.1 points per game while allowing 67.1.  The Dragons, who are shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, 37 percent from the three-point line and 64.4 percent from the stripe, are outrebounding their opponents, 34.6-28.1.
   
Chad Walthall is in his first year with the program as head coach.

Inside the Series: Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 57-27...Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 7-0 all-time record against the Dragons, including a 4-0 mark in NSIC play...In the Taylor Center, MSU is 3-0 against MSUM....Senior guard Jefferson Mason leads all active Mavericks against the Dragons with 16.0 points per game on 63.6 percent shooting...Senior guard Cameron Hodges is also averaging double-digits against the Dragons at 10 points per game to go with five rebounds per contest.

Scouting Minnesota, Crookson: Minnesota, Crookston owns a 5-4 record entering this weekend's games after splitting a pair of decisions prior to the holiday break.  The Golden Eagles – who are 5-4 overall, 1-4 in league play – dropped a 81-68 decision to Augustana before upending Wayne State, 55-54, in its final game of the 2010 calendar.
   
UMC is led in scoring by senior guard Eric Dearden who is averaging 14.1 points per game and he is followed by junior forward Larry Brown, who is averaging 13.9.  Junior guard Jacolby Anderson is averaging 11.4 points per contest while senior post Adam Hendricks averages 10.9.  Junior forward Trent Graves leads the team in rebounds at 4.1.
   
As a team, UMC is averaging 68.9 points per game while its opponents are averaging 65.4.  The Golden Eagles are shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from the three-point line and 68.6 percent from the free throw line.  UMC is being edged on the boards, 32.7-32.1.

Inside The Series: Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is 10-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles...In NSIC play, Margenthaler is 4-0 against UMC...In the Taylor Center the Mavericks are 4-0 all-time against Minnesota, Crookston...Senior guard Jefferson Mason leads the active Mavericks in scoring against UMC averaging 16.0 points while shooting .668 from the floor...Senior guard Marcus Hill averages 11 points and four assists in three career games against UMC.

Minnesota State History: The 2010-11 season marks the 89th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,162-818 (.590) in 1,970 games since the program’s inception in the 1920-21 season. MSU capped its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008 and owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 34-10  record (.773).  The Mavericks have also made seven previous appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 8-8 (.500) in those trips.

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Senior guard Joe Drapcho discusses the weekend: