Mankato, Minn. --- The ninth-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team continues NSIC play this weekend as it plays host to the Upper Iowa Peacocks Friday (8 p.m.) and the Winona State Warriors Saturday (6 p.m.).

MSU's Upcoming Opponents

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
12/6	Upper Iowa	Mankato, Minn.	8 p.m.
12/7	Winona State	Mankato, Minn.	6 p.m.

Concerning the Mavericks: Last weekend the Mavericks opened their NSIC schedule with a win as they defeated the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears 81-64 in St. Paul. With the win, MSU improved to 7-1, including a 1-0 record in NSIC action. MSU shot 55.1% from the field as it connected on 27-of-49 shots from the field. The Mavericks also brought down 40 rebounds and passed out 20 assists.

Junior Assem Marei notched a career-high 24 points, while shooting 11-of-22 from the field, to go along with nine rebounds. Senior Connor O'Brien added 18 points, six rebounds and five blocks, while junior Zach Monaghan posted 12 points and seven assists.

Through MSU's eight games this season, a total of six Mavericks are averaging 11 points or more per game, with Marei leading the way with 15.2 points per game. Monaghan is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 assists per game, while senior Gage Wooten is averaging 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Mavericks are averaging 88.5 points a game, to go along with 42.2 rebounds per contest. MSU is also shooting 51.7% from the field and has passed out 148 assists.

Concerning the Peacocks: The Upper Iowa Peacocks are currently on a two-game losing streak, having dropped a pair of games to Missouri Western State (84-79) and Winona State (93-86) last week. UIU currently owns a 2-5 record, including a 0-1 record in league play.
 
Joey Woods currently leads the Upper Iowa offense with an average of 15.2 points per game. Josh Weeber is averaging 13.6 points and four rebounds per contest as well, while Jordan Hay is averaging 7.3 points and a team-high 4.4 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Peacocks are averaging 83.4 points per game and are shooting 44.7% from the field.

Brooks McKowen is in his first season as head coach of the Peacocks.

The Mavericks own a 13-1 all-time record against the Peacocks, including a a 67-54 win at Upper Iowa in their last meeting.

Concerning the Warriors: The Winona State Warriors own a 5-2 record on the season, including a 1-0 mark in NSIC play. It its last game, WSU defeated Upper Iowa 93-86 in Fayette, Iowa.

Cameron Taylor leads the Winona State offense with an average of 12.2 points per game. Kellen Taylor is averaging 8.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

As a team, WSU is shooting 50.2% from the field and 43.0% from behind the arc. The Warriors are also averaging 38.2 rebounds per game.

Mike Leaf is in his 16th season at the helm of the WSU men's basketball team and currently owns a 347-133 record.

The Mavericks own an 82-42 all-time record against the Warriors. In their last meeting during the 2013 NCAA Central Region Tournament, WSU defeated MSU 76-73 in overtime.

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