MANKATO, Minn. --- The 18th-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team hits the road this weekend for a pair of NSIC games as it faces Northern State on Friday and #7 MSU Moorhead 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 1,261-854 (.596) in 2,115 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 104-37 (.737) 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 at Taylor Center as it defeated  Southwest Minnesota State (95-78) and Sioux Falls (76-62) to stay perfect at home.

Four Mavericks averaged at least 15 points in MSU's two wins this past weekend, including senior Zach Monaghan, who averaged a double-double with 19.5 points and 10 assists per game. Senior Assem Marei averaged 19 points and seven rebounds per game, while senior Zach Romashko and senior Connor Miller each dropped in 15 points per game as well.

Against Northern State: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Northern State marks the 21st meeting all-time between them. MSU holds the series edge at 14-6, including wins in its previous two meetings against the Wolves.

Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Wolves 91-80 in their only encounter in Aberdeen, S.D. Senior Assem Marei tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Zach Monaghan notched 20 points and 12 assists.

As a team, MSU shot 53.4% from the field against NSU last season. The Mavericks also brought down 36 rebounds and dropped in 16 second chance points.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 7-3 overall record against Northern State, including a 2-2 record in Aberdeen.

Against MSU Moorhead: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Dragons will mark the 90th meeting between them.

MSU owns the all-time series edge at 60-29, including a 99-85 road loss to Dragons in their only meeting last season.

Senior Zach Monaghan notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists against the Dragons, while senior Assem Marei dropped in a game-high 23 points. Sophomore Mike Busack added 10 points as well.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-2 record against the Dragons, including a 3-2 record in Moorhead.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 16-3 overall record and an 11-2 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 8.6 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging 14.3 points and 8.6 assists per contest as well.

As a team, the Mavericks are shooting 49.7% from the field, including a 42.6% showing from behind the arc to go along with 35.6 rebounds per game.

The Mavericks are outscoring their opponents by 12.4 points per game this season. MSU is also averaging 43.8 points in the second half.

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend sitting in fourth place in the NSIC standings with an 11-3 league record, to go along with a 17-3 overall record. NSU has won its last four games and owns a 10-1 home record.

Seth Bachand leads Northern State with an average of 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, to go along with a 67.1 field goal percentage. Tydan Storrusten is averaging 11,7 points and 2.9 assists per game as well.

As a team, NSU is shooting 48.6% from the field, including a 38.3% showing from behind the arc. The Wolves are averaging 34.5 rebounds per game and have committed 234 turnovers.

Paul Sather is in his fifth season at the helm of the men's basketball team. He owns an 80-52 record.

Concerning the Dragons: The MSU Moorhead Dragons enter the weekend the owners of a 22-1 overall record and currently sit in a tie atop the NSIC with a 13-1 conference record. The Dragons are currently on a 10-game winning streak and a perfect 10-0 at home.

MSUM has four players averaging at least 10 points per game, including Jordan Riewer, who leads the team with an average of 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

As a team, MSUM is averaging 83.6 points per game, and is shooting 50.1% from the field, including a 42.4 showing from three point land.

Chad Walthall is in his fifth season at the helm of the men's basketball program. He owns a 98-42 record.

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