What Lies Ahead:  The Minnesota State men's basketball team, ranked #4 in the latest NABC Division II poll hits the road this weekend as it travels to Concordia (Friday, 8 p.m.) and St. Cloud State (Saturday, 6 p.m.).

What's in a Win:   A win Friday would mark the 1,150th win in program history...It would also mark the 188th win for head coach Matt Margenthaler...A win Friday would mark the ninth victory over Concordia for head Coach Matt Margenthaler...It would also mark the 10th victory in 13 tries in school history against the Golden Bears...A win Friday would be Minnesota State’s 31st win as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Watch For This:  The Mavericks enter the weekend knocking on the door of several team season records.  The Mavericks are seven free throws made shy of cracking the school's top-10 list for the category.  In 2002-03, the Mavericks made 449 free throws and MSU has connected on 442. If the Mavericks convert their average this weekend (20.1 ftmpg) they will move as high as seventh.  The Mavericks have attempted 587 free throws this weekend and are 46 attempts shy of cracking the top-10.  If MSU attempts its average (26.68 ftapg) it could move as high as seventh with 641.  The Mavericks have blocked 90 shots this year and are two blocks shy of tying the 1982-83 squad for 10th.  Finally, MSU has collected 218 steals this year, which is three shy of tying the 1987-88 team for 10th with 221.

Golden Bear Tracks:  The Golden Bears enter the weekend with a 12-10 record and are tied for fifth-place in the NSIC with a 9-6 tally.  CU has won its last four games and five of its last seven.  Last weekend, Concordia downed Bemidji State (78-73) and Minnesota Duluth (86-85) in a pair of league road tilts.
    As a squad, Concordia is averaging77.3 points per game while allowing 74.2.  CU is shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and owns a +4.2 rebounding margin over its opponents.
    Senior forward Craig Heiman leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game while sophomore forward Brent Barz is second in scoring (11.9) and leads the team in rebounding (7.2).  Senior guard Mike Cunningham rounds out the Golden Bears who averaged double-digits wth an average of 11.4 points per game.
 The Golden Bears are coached by Kelly Boe who is 62-45 with the program.

MSU-CU Noteables:  Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is 8-1 all-time against Concordia...The Mavericks have won the last four meetings between the two schools...In the previous meeting between the two squads, MSU earned an 84-63 victory on Jan. 15...Junior guard Jefferson Mason scored a team-high 18 points n the win and hauled in nine rebounds...Senior center Travis Nelson leads all active Mavericks in scoring against CU, averaging 16.7 rebounds an 8.7 rebounds.
 
Husky Happenings:  St. Cloud State enters the weekend owners of a 18-4 record, including an 11-3 league tally, which is alone in second-place.
    The Huskies have won their last five games and 15 of their last 17 contests. As a squad, SCSU is averaging 79.2 points per game while opponents are only averaging 68.1.  As a team, SCSU is shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and own a +5.8 rebounding margin over its opponents.
    Senior center Matt Schneck leads the team in scoring and rebounding as he averages 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds.  Junior guard Taylor Witt is second in scoring at 15.4, while sophomore guard Brett Putz averages 10.5. The Huskies are coached by Kevin Schlagel who is 255-116 with the program.

MSU-SCSU Noteables:  Minnesota State is 78-84 all-time against St. Cloud State State...Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 9-10 record against the Huskies in his career...Junior guard Marcus Hilll scored a game-high 22 points on 6-of-6 shooting – including 4-of-4 from downtown and 6-of-6 from the free throw line – in MSU's 88-76 victory over the Huskies on Jan. 16...Senior center Travis Nelson leads all active Mavericks in scoring against the Huskies with 17.5 points while Hill is averaging 9.5 points in six career games.

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. each night 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

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