MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will open its 2015-16 season this weekend as it takes part in the two-day MIAA/NSIC Challenge in Joplin, Mo. The Mavericks will take on Pittsburg State on Friday, before wrapping up the weekend on Saturday against host Missouri Southern State. Both games are scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2015-16 season marks the 94th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,269-859 (.596) in 2,128 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 110-40 (.733) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns a 15-12 record (.555) in NCAA Tournament play and most recently lost to Northwest Missouri State 59-56. The Mavericks have hosted four of the last six NCAA Central Region Tournaments at Taylor Center.
 
Who We Got Coming Back: The Mavericks welcome back seven players from last season's squad that finished the 2014-15 season with a 24-8 record, including senior Lucas Brown, juniors TJ Okafor, Joe Aase, Mike Busack and Grant Pope, and  sophomores Alex Herink and TJ Lake.

Lake and Herink each started in at least 30 games last season, with Lake averaging 9.2 points per game, to go along with a 51.9% showing from behind the arc. Herink shot 52.5% from the field, while averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Busack appeared in all 32 games last season and finished second on the team last season with 5.9 rebounds per game. Pope played in 26 games for the Mavericks last season as well, while Brown shot 60.4% from the field in 24 games.

Fresh Faces: Minnesota State welcomes in several new faces this season including five transfers including seniors Kevin Gray, Jalen Pendleton and Snoop Viser, along with juniors Preston Christensen and Jon Fuqua. The Mavericks also brought in four freshmen including Carter Asche, Cole Harper, Joey Witthus and Baily Williams.  

Making History: MSU's games against Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State will be the first meetings ever between them.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Mavericks finished their 2014-15 season with a 24-8 overall record, including a 17-5 NSIC record. The Mavericks finished third in the NSIC standings last season and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to Northwest Missouri State 59-56.

As a team, MSU averaged 81.7 points and 36 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 49.7 % from the floor and 41.1 % from behind the arc. MSU also passed out 521 assists, while posting 171 steals.

Sophomore TJ Lake returns after averaging 9.2 points per game last season. Lake also shot 51.9% from behind the arc, which is the second-highest single season tally in program history. Junior Mike Busack also returns after averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Matt Margenthaler begins his 15th season at Minnesota State and currently owns a 308-123 overall record, to go along with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Concerning the Gorillas: The Pittsburg State Gorillas finished their 2014-15 campaign with a 20-12 record last season, which included an MIAA Tournament championship. PSU would eventually fall to MSU Moorhead 80-68 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, the Gorillas averaged 71.4 points and 31.1 rebounds per game last season. PSU also shot 48.3% from the field, including a 38.2% showing from behind the arc.

Josiah Gustafson returns after averaging a team-leading 15.5 points per game, to go along with a team-leading 113 three point shots made. Lamine Dieng also returns for the Gorillas after averaging a team-high 4.5 rebounds per game. Javis Flynn led PSU in assists last season with 160 as well.

Pittsburg State is coached by Kevin Muff who is entering his sixth season at PSU. He owns a 76-67 overall record.

Concerning the Lions: Missouri Southern State finished its 2014-15 season with a 20-11 overall record, including a 12-7 MIAA record. MSSU advanced to the MIAA Tournament Championship, but fell to Pittsburg State 91-65 to end its season.

As a team, Missouri Southern State averaged 77.8 points and 34.9 rebounds per game a season ago, to go along with a 46.3 team shooting percentage. The Lions also turned the ball over 413 times, to go along 333 assists.

Taevaunn Prince returns to Lions after leading them in scoring last season with an average of 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Greg Renfroe also returns for the Lions after averaging 8.1 points per game, to go along with a team-leading 62 blocks.   

MSSU is coached by Jeff Boschee, who is in his second season at Missouri Southern State.

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