MANKATO, Minn. --- The No. 10 Minnesota State men's basketball team returns from winter break this weekend as it hosts a pair of old North Central Conference rivals in St. Cloud State on Friday, at 8 p.m., and Minnesota Duluth 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 1,254-853 (.595) in 2,107 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 97-36 (.729) 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.

Our Last Outing: The Mavericks saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of Concordia-St. Paul as the Golden Bears topped MSU 75-73 in St. Paul. In doing so, CU ended MSU's four-game winning streak over the Golden Bears dating back to the 2012-13 season.

Senior Assem Marei led the Maverick offense with 18 points and seven rebounds, while senior Zach MonaghanZach Monaghan

Concerning the Mavericks: MSU enters the weekend the own of a 9-2 overall record and 4-1 NSIC record. The Mavericks are currently sitting in third place in the NSIC standings.

Three Mavericks are averaging at least 13 points per game, including senior Assem Marei, who leads the team with 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging 13.1 points and 7.8 assists per game, while senior Connor Miller has tallied 13 points per game.

As a team, the Mavericks are shooting 49.3% from the field, including a 41.7% showing from behind the arc.

MSU is bringing down 35 rebounds per game and is outscoring its opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game.

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the week the owner of a 6-5 record, including 98-74 win over Minnesota Duluth in its last conference game. The Huskies will take on Iowa Wesleyan in a nonconference game on Wednesday.

Jordan Poydras leads the SCSU offense with 16.3 points, to go along with 4.5 rebounds per game. James Fort in averaging 11.8 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 81 points and 35.5 rebound per game and is shooting 47.5% from the field.

Matt Reimer is in his first season at the helm of the men's basketball program and St. Cloud State. He owns a 6-5 record.

Friday's meeting will be the 171st meeting between the Mavericks and the Huskies, with SCSU leading the all-time series at 89-81. Matt Margenthaler owns a 13-15 record against the Huskies, including a 97-77 win at Taylor Center last season.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the owner of a 6-6 record, including a 3-3 record in league play. The Bulldogs lost to St. Cloud State 98-74 in their most recent game.

Brett Ervin leads the UMD offense with 18.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Pierre Newton has averaged 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as well.

The Bulldogs are averaging 67 points per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field.

Matt Bowen is in his third season as head coach of Minnesota Duluth. He owns a 26-40 record at UMD.

Saturday's game will be the 71st meeting between the Mavericks and the Bulldogs, with  MSU owning the series edge at 40-30. Matt Margenthaler owns a 17-4 record against the Bulldogs, including a pair of wins in their last two meetings.

To view the complete release click HERE