MANKATO, Minn. --- The #9 Minnesota State men's basketball team will take on Harding Saturday, in the opening round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The opening tip is set for 5 p.m.

MSU's Upcoming Opponents

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
3/15	Harding	Mankato, Minn.	5 p.m.

Against Harding: Saturday's encounter between MSU and Harding represents the second meeting all-time between them, with the Mavericks owning a 1-0 record. MSU defeated HU 86-65 in the second round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament last season.

Senior Gage Wooten and junior Assem Marei each notched 16 points and seven rebounds against Harding last season.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 1-0 record against the Bisons, including a 1-0 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State has set a new single-season record with 29 wins this season, after defeating Winona State 75-66 to win the NSIC Tournament championship. The Mavericks have now won 13 straight games and have five players averaging at least 11.2 points per game during that stretch.

Five Mavericks are averaging at least 10.9 points per game on the season, including junior Assem Marei, who is leading the team with 16.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Junior  Zach Monaghan is averaging 15.3 points and 8.1 assists per game, while senior Gage Wooten is averaging 13.6 points per game, while shooting 61.3% from the field.

Minnesota State is currently on a 13-game winning streak with five of its wins coming at Taylor Center. During that stretch, the five MSU starters have averaged at least 11.2 points per game.

Concerning the Bison: The Harding Bison enter the weekend the owners of a 15-14 record. HU won three straight games against East Central (77-65), Arkansas Tech (83-64) and Henderson State (93-86 2OT) in the Great American Conference Tournament to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament.

As a team, the Bison are shooting 44.4% from the field. HU is also averaging 34 rebounds per game and has passed out 453 assists.

Hayden Johnson is averaging a team-high 18.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Weston Jameson is avergaing 9.3 points and 5.8 assists per game.

The Bisons are coached by Jeff Morgan, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the Harding men's basketball team. He owns a 364-236 record as the head coach of the Bison.

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