MANKATO, Minn. --- The seventh-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team opens its home schedule this weekend at Taylor Center as it takes on a pair of nonconference opponents including Northland College on Friday, at 7 p.m., and Waldorf on Saturday at 6 p.m.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,246-852 (.593) in 2,098 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 an 93-35 (.726) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns a 15-11 record (.576) in NCAA Tournament play and most recently defeated Harding (97-56) in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament before falling to Northwest Missouri State 71-66. The Mavericks have now hosted four of the last five NCAA Central Region Tournaments at Taylor Center.

About Last Week: Minnesota State went 1-1 this past weekend at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls as it fell to Central Missouri 67-66, before defeating Washburn 77-70.

Senior Assem Marei recorded his 18th career double-double as he tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with five blocks, against Central Missouri. Senior Connor Miller added 14 points and seven assists in his first game as a Maverick, while Zach Monaghan notched 10 points and seven assists.

As a unit, MSU shot 45.8% from the field, including a 43.8% showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 17 assists and forced 10 UCM turnovers.

Against Washburn, Marei led the Mavericks with 19 points, while redshirt freshman TJ Lake dropped in 14 points, including a 3-of-3 showing from behind the arc. Sophomore Mike Busack tallied 16 points as well, while Monaghan notched 15 points and eight helpers.

The Mavericks connected on 42.4% of their shots from the field, and also made 30-of-39 shots from the free throw line.

Concerning the Mavericks: MSU has five players averaging at least 12 points per game this season, including senior Assem Marei, who leads the team with an average of 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Senior Zach Monaghan, sophomore Mike Busack and freshman TJ Lake are each averaging 12.5 points per game, with Monaghan averaging a team-high 7.5 assists per game.

As a team, MSU is shooting 45.2% from both the field and behind the arc. The Mavericks have also made 45-of-61 (.731) shots from the charity stripe.

Concerning the Lumberjacks: The Northland College Lumberjacks enter the weekend the owners of a 1-0 record. Northland defeated Maranatha Baptist 87-64 last weekend.

This will be the third meeting between the Mavericks and the Lumberjacks, with MSU winning both of the previous encounters, including a 102-76 win back in the 1963-64 season.

Zach Ringhouse is leading the Lumberjacks with an average of 20 points per game. Thomas Whiting is averaging eight points and a team-high nine rebounds per game as well.

As a team, Northland is shooting 50.9% from the field, to go along with 32 rebounds per game.
Scott Sorenson is in his third season at the helm of the Northland men's basketball team. He currently boasts an 8-42 record.

Concerning the Warriors: The Waldorf Warriors enter the weekend the owners of a 2-5 record, including a 63-62 win against Judson College last weekend.

The meeting between the Mavericks and the Warriors will be the eighth meeting all-time between them, with MSU winning their previous encounter last season 94-50.

Erik Brewer is leading the Warriors with an average of 21.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Jordan Nelson is averaging 18 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as well.

As a team, Waldorf is averaging 68.3 points per game, while shooting 46.3% from the field. The Warriors have also passed out 93 assists.

Nigel Jenkins is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Waldorf men's basketball team after serving as an assistant coach for the Mavericks. He owns a record of 45-49.

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