What's Up?: The Minnesota State men's basketball team (6-11, 5-8 NSIC) wraps up its final four-game roadtrip of the season this weekend as it travels to #6 Winona State (Friday, 8 p.m.) and Upper Iowa (Saturday, 8 p.m.). Both games will air on AM 1230 KYSM The Fan Mankato.
Minnesota State History: The 2011-12 season marks the 90th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,186-833 (.587) in 2,019 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 55-20 record (.733) to go with a pair of regular-season championships.
The Mavericks have made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 12-9 (.571) in those trips.
A Little Bit About Winona State: Winona State enters the week with a record of 17-2 and are 12-1 in the NSIC, which is tops in the league. The Warriors are ranked sixth in this week's NABC Division II Coaches Poll.
Winona State is led in scoring by junior center Clayton Vette who is averaging 16.1 points per game to go with his team-high 6.8 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Grant Johnson is the only other Warrior in double-digits averaging 15.0 points per contest.
As a team, WSU 79.0 points per contest while giving up 66.1. The Warriors are shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from the free throw line while hitting on 73.2 percent of its free throw opportunities. WSU is outrebounding its opponents by a 35.1 to 31.3 margin on the season.
Mike Leaf is in his 13th season as head coach at Winona State and owns a 307-120 record with the program.
Inside The Series: Minnesota State leads the all-time series 81-39 and took three of four from Winona State a year ago, including a 96-81 victory in the NCAA tournament...Winona State won the first meeting between the two schools earlier this year with a 78-72 victory in Mankato...Minnesota State head coach
Matt Margenthaler is 8-8 all-time against the Warriors...Freshman guard
Miles Chamberlain leads all active Mavericks in scoring with 16 points against WSU although he has played just one game...Amongst Mavericks who have played multiple games against WSU sophomore guard
Jimmy Whitehead leads the team with 5.8 points per game...Sophomore forward
Connor O'Brien leads MSU with 4.8 rebounds against the Warriors.
A Little Bit About Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa enters the weekend owners of a 7-10 record and are 4-9 in the NSIC, which is good for 11th-place. Last weekend the Peacocks swept Augustana and Wayne State and prior to Saturday's game against MSU they host Southwest Minnesota State.
As a team, UIU is averaging 66.8 points per game, while giving up 68.4. Upper Iowa is connecting on 44 percent of its field goal opportunities, including 37.7 from downtown to go with 67.3 percent of its free throw attempts. On the glass, UIU is outrebounding opponents, 33.6-31.1.
Junior post Tucker Wentzien leads the team in scoring and rebounding at 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Junior wing Sam Elgin is the other lone Peacock in double-figures averaging 11.5 points per contest.
Upper Iowa is coached by Brian Dolan who is in his sixth season with the program and owns a 43-107 record.
Inside The Series: Minnesota State leads the all-time series with a 11-0 record with all 11 victories coming under head coach
Matt Margenthaler...Earlier this year, senior guard
Stephen Kirschbaum drilled a three-pointer with four seconds remaining to give MSU a 58-55 win in Mankato...Sophomore guard
Travis Meinders leads all active Mavericks in scoring against the Peacocks at 15 points per game in one career game against UIU...Amongst the Mavericks who have played multiple games against UIU, sophomore guard
Jimmy Whitehead is averaging 6.7 points in three career games...Sophomore forward
Connor O'Brien leads all active rebounders at 4.0 against UIU.
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