Mankato, Minn. --- What's Up?: The 11th-ranked Minnesota State men's basketball team hosts its first home games of the 2013 portion of the season as it welcomes in the Northern State Wolves Friday (8 p.m.) and the MSU Moorhead Dragons Saturday (6 p.m.).

What Just Happened: Minnesota State returned to action after winter break and did not miss a step as it earned a pair of victories at Augustana (60-48) and at Wayne State (66-54). In its two wins, MSU shot 44.6% from the field and finished 33-of-44 (75.0%) from the free throw line. Junior Gage Wooten led the way on offense, averaging 15 ppg, while hauling in 6.5 rpg. Junior Connor O'Brien also had a stellar weekend as he averaged 10.5 points and a team-leading 9.5 rebounds per game.

Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,195-842 (.586) in 2,037 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 60-29  record (.674) 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 About Northern State: The Northern State Wolves enter the weekend riding a four-game winning streak, with wins its last two coming against Bemidji State (64-61) and  Minnesota Crookston (66-47).

Northern State, along with MSU and MSU Moorhead, currently lead the NSIC with conference records of 6-1. Boasting an overall record of 11-3, the Wolves have won 10 of their last 11 games, with their only loss coming to St. Cloud State (73-54).

The Wolves have three players averaging at least 10.1 ppg, including Collin Pryor, who leads his squad averaging 15 ppg. Pryor is also NSU's leading rebounder with 101 rebounds on the season.

Northern State is coached by third-year head coach Paul Sather. During his tenure at NSU, Sather has compiled a 36-31 record, including an 11-3 mark this season.

Series History: Minnesota State is 12-6 all-time against Northern State...The Mavericks lost their only match up against the Wolves last season...MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler is 5-3 in his career against Northern State...Junior Connor O'Brien posted a double double with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Wolves last season.

A Little About MSU Moorhead: The Dragons enter the weekend the owners of a 12-1 record  and are tied with Minnesota State and Northern State atop the NSIC with a 6-1 record in league play. Currently riding a seven-game winning streak, the Dragons recently defeated Minnesota Crookston 71-66 and Bemidji State 82-48.

Anthony Tucker is MSU Moorhead's leading scorer on the season averaging 20.8 ppg. Alex Novak, who is averaging 13.4 ppg, is also leading MSUM in rebounds averaging 8.9 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Dragons are shooting 50.3% from the field and have connected on 112 shots from beyond the arc.  

Chad Walthall is in his third season as the head coach of the Dragons and owns a 48-23 record.

Series History:  All-time, the Mavericks are  is 58-28 against the Dragons...Last season, the Dragons came out on top with a 66-65 victory...Maverick head coach Matt Margenthaler is 6-1 all-time against Dragons...Four Mavericks poured in at least 10 points in their meeting last season, including junior Jimmy Whitehead with 13 points and sophomore Zach Romashko with 10 points.

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