MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will open the home portion of its 2015-16 schedule this week as it hosts the Clarke College Crusaders on Wednesday and the Waldorf Warriors on Friday. Game times are both set for 7:00 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 1,270-860 (.596) in 2,130 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.
 
About Last Week: Minnesota State went 1-1 this past weekend at the MIAA/NSIC Challenge as it fell to Pittsburg State 62-59, before defeating host Missouri Southern State 79-67.

Senior Snoop Viser led the Mavericks in scoring this past weekend with an average of 12.5 points per game, while junior Jon Fuqua notched 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game including a double-double against MSSU.

As a team, MSU shot 39% from the field, to go along with an 81.6% showing at the free throw line. The Mavericks also forced 25 turnovers and passed out 30 assists.

Against Clarke College: The Mavericks own a 2-0 overall record against Clarke College, including a 117-56 win during the 2013-14 season. Junior Mike Busack tallied 13 points, four rebounds and three steals in MSU's last meeting with the Crusaders.

Against the Warriors: MSU owns a 7-1 all-time record against Waldorf, including an 86-62 win last season at Taylor Center. Sophomore TJ Lake notched 12 points, while senior Lucas Brown added nine points and five rebounds.

Concerning the Mavericks: A total of five Mavericks are averaging at least nine points through two games this season. Senior Jalen Pendleton, who is averaging 12 points a game, has connected on 11-of-12 (.917) shots from the free throw line.

Junior Mike Busack is averaging 9.5 points and four rebounds per game, including a 13-point performance against Missouri Southern State. Senior Snoop Viser has passed out a team-leading 11 assists, while junior Jon Fuqua has hauled in a team-leading 15 rebounds.

As a team, MSU is shooting 39% from the field and is averaging 37 rebounds per game, to go along with an 81.6% showing at the line. MSU is also averaging 15 assists and 5.5 steals per game.

Concerning the Crusaders: The Clarke College Crusaders enter the weekend the owners of a 3-4 overall record, including a pair of losses to Morningside (98-87) and Briar Cliff (92-57) in their last two outings.

Haris Takes is leading the Crusaders with 16.7 points per game, with David Neis following with 13 points and a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per game.

As a team, Clarke is shooting 43.1% from the field, including a 37.9% showing from behind the arc. The Crusaders have passed out 101 assists, but have turned the ball of 114 times.

Jim Blaine is in his second season at the helm of the Crusader men's basketball team. He owns a 9-27 overall record.

Concerning the Warriors: The Waldorf Warriors enter the week the owners of a 3-1 overall record, including a 78-68 overtime victory over Mount Mary in their last outing.

Erik Brewer is leading the Warriors with 19 points, to go along with 6.3 rebounds per game. Michael Morgan is hauling in a team-high eight rebounds per contest, with June Prowell averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

As a team, Waldorf is shooting 40.9% from the field this season, to go along with 40.0 rebounds per game. The Warriors have also committed 60 turnovers and have passed out 38 assists.

Waldorf is coached by former Minnesota State assistant Nigel Jenkins, who is in his fifth season at Waldorf. He owns a 61-54 overall record.

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