MANKATO, Minn. --- The #20 Minnesota State men's basketball team returns to Taylor Center this weekend for a pair of games as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday and Sioux Falls on Saturday. Game times are scheduled for 8 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,259-854 (.595) in 2,113 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 102-37 (.733) 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 2-0 this past weekend on the road as they defeated Bemidji State 84-66, before wrapping up its road trip with an 80-50 win at Minnesota Crookston.

Four Mavericks averaged double-figures during the weekend, including senior Assem Marei (19.0 ppg), senior Connor Miller (18.5 ppg), senior Zach Monaghan (16.0 ppg) and freshman TJ Lake (13.5 ppg).

Against Southwest Minnesota State: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks the 51st meeting between them. MSU holds the series edge at 37-13, and is currently on a five-game winning streak against the Mustangs.

Last season, MSU went 3-0 against the Mustangs, including a 68-57 win in the third round of the NSIC Tournament. The Mavericks also defeated SMSU 77-68 in Taylor Center.

Senior Assem Marei averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game against the Mustangs last season, while senior Zach Monaghan averaged 14 points and 9.6 assists per contest.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 16-7 overall record against Southwest Minnesota State, including an 8-4 record in Taylor Center.

Against Sioux Falls: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Cougars will be the 12th all-time meeting between them, with MSU boasting a 9-2 record.

This will be the eight time Matt Margenthaler has faced USF. He owns a 6-1 overall record against the Cougars, including a 4-0 record in Taylor Center.

Last season, the Mavericks went 2-0 against the Cougars as they averaged 106 points per game. Senior Zach Monaghan averaged 22 points and 8.5 assists per game, while senior Assem Marei averaged 14.5 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owners of a 14-3 overall record and a 9-2 NSIC record. The Mavericks are currently sitting in third place in the NSIC standings.
 
Senior Assem Marei is leading the Mavericks with an average of 19.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging 13.7 points and 8.4 assists per contest as well.

As a team, the Mavericks are shooting 49.7% from the field, including a 42.4% showing from behind the arc.

The Mavericks are outscoring their opponents by 12.1 points per game this season. MSU is also averaging 43.2 points in the second half.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 9-9 record, including a 5-7 mark in NSIC play. SMSU has lost its last five games, including a 79-57 loss to MSU Moorhead in its last outing.

Joey Bartlett is leading the Mustangs with an average of 15.2 points per game, while Mitch Weg is averaging 12.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

As a team, SMSU is shooting 48.8% from the field, including a 41.3% showing from behind the arc.

Brad Bigler is in his sixth season at the head coaching position at Southwest Minnesota State. He currently owns a 92-72 record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 7-11 record, including a record of 4-8 in league play. USF has lost its last four games, including a 65-54 loss to Northern State in its most recent outing.

Charles Ward leads the Cougar offense with an average of 18 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Mack Johnson is averaging 14.2 points per game as well.

As a team, USF is averaging 68.2 points per game, to go along with 36 rebounds. Opponents are shooting 44.6% against the Cougars, including a 38.5% showing from behind the three point line.

Chris Johnson is in his seventh season at the helm of the USF men's basketball team. He owns an overall record of 123-82.

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