What's Up:  The Minnesota State men's basketball team (6-0) opens a four-game roadtrip Friday evening to close out the 2010 calendar year.  The Mavericks travel to Concordia Friday evening for a 7:30 p.m. contest against the Golden Bears before traveling to St. Cloud State Saturday evening for a 6 p.m., contest with the Huskies.

Scouting Concordia:   The Golden Bears enter the weekend with a 4-2 record, including a 1-1 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  Last weekend CU split a pair of road games falling at Northern State, 96-94 in overtime before bouncing back to beat the University of Mary, 70-67.  
   
Concordia is led in scoring by junior guard Peter Olafeso who is tied for the team lead in scoring average at 14.3 points per game while leading the team in rebounding at 7.8 per contest.  Senior guard Courtney Tyler is also averaging 14.3 points per game while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor while junior guard Kenny Olafeso is averaging 13.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds.  Junior forward Brent Barz rounds out the Golden Bears in double-figures averaging 11.7 points per contest.
   
As a team, CU is averaging 75.2 points per game while allowing 72.2.  The Golden Bears are shooting .477 from the floor, .421 from downtown and .655 from the free throw line.  They are also outrebounding their opponents by a +1.3 margin (35-33.7).  Kelly Boe is in his fifth year with the program and owns a 67-52 record at Concordia.

Inside the Series: The Mavericks are 11-3 all-time against Concordia, including a 4-2 record in the Gangelhoff Center...Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is 9-1 all-time against the Golden Bears 10-1 all-time against CU and 4-1 in the Gangelhoff Center...Concordia head coach Kelly Boe was an assistant coach for Margenthaler from 2001-03 before he joined the Golden Bears as an assistant coach...During his time as a head coach at CU, Boe owns a 1-5 record against the Mavericks...Maverick senior Jefferson Mason is the leading active scorer against the Golden Bears averaging 19 points per game in two career games while shooting 61.9 percent from the floor and hauling in 10.5 rebounds...Senior guards Marcus Hill and Joe Drapcho have both played in five career games against the Golden Bears the most of any active Maverick...Hill is averaging 8.6 points per game – and converting 93.3 percent of his free throws against the Golden Bears – while Drapcho is averaging 4.2 points per game.

Scouting St. Cloud State: St. Cloud State enters the week owners of a 2-4 record, including a 1-1 mark in the NSIC.  The Huskies host Southwest Minnesota State Friday evening prior to playing the Mavericks.  Last weekend, SCSU split a pair of league games dropping an 84-81 decision at the University of Marry before beating Northern State, 91-83.  
   
The Huskies are led in scoring by junior guard Brett Putz who is averaging 17.3 points per game.  Senior guard Taylor Wit is averaging 16.2 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game while passing out a team-high 25 assists.  Freshman center Ben Bucholz leads the team in rebounds with 6.7 per contest.

SCSU is averaging 75.8 points per game this season while allowing 73.3.  The Huskies are shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent from downtown and  73.8 percent from the strip.  SCSU owns a +3.7 margin on the glass (37.2-33.5).  St. Cloud State is coached by Kevin Schlagel who is in his 14th season with the program and owns a career record of 268-122.

Inside The Series: St. Cloud State leads the all-time series, 85-78...In NSIC play the two teams have played to draw (2-2) with each team winning both games on their home court...Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is 9-11 all-time against the Huskies and is 3-6 in Hallenbeck Hall...The three Maverick wins came from 2005-2008...SCSU head coach Kevin Schlagel is 16-12 all-time against MSU...Last year, the Huskies ended the Mavericks season in the semi final 83-71...Senior guard Jefferson Mason leads all active Mavericks against the Huskies averaging 19.3 points per game and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor...Senior guards Joe Drapcho and Marcus Hillhave each played in eight games against the Huskies, the most of any active and Hill is averaging 7.5 points while Drapcho is averaging 4.4.

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