MANKATO, Minn. --- The #25 Minnesota State men's basketball team returns to action on the road this weekend as it travels to St. Cloud State on Saturday and Minnesota Duluth on Sunday, with start times set for 4:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2015-16 season marks the 94th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,278-861 (.597) in 2,139 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 114-41 (.735) 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 Out Last Outing: Minnesota State wrapped up the 2015 calendar year with an 86-59 victory over Concordia-St. Paul to improve to 7-0 at Taylor Center this season. The Mavericks have now won their last nine games at home.

As a team, MSU shot 51.6% form the field against the Golden Bears, to go along with a 47.2% showing from behind the three point line. MSU's 17 three point field goals tied single-game record set during the 2013-14 season.

Senior Jalen Pendleton became the first Maverick to record a triple-double as he tallied 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in MSU's win, en route to claiming NSIC South Division Player of the Week honors.

Two Mavericks reached the 20-point plateau against the Golden Bears as well, including freshman Joey Witthus, who tallied 24 points, all of which came from long range. Senior Snoop Viser notched 20 points as well, to go with four rebounds and four assists. Junior TJ Okafor added seven points and eight rebounds also.

Against the Huskies: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and St. Cloud State marks the 173rd meeting between them. The Huskies hold the series edge with an 89-83 record, but the Mavericks have won the last four encounters.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 15-15 all-time record against the Huskies, including a 4-8 record on the road. MSU won its most recent road game against SCSU 81-75 back in the 2012-13 season.

Last season, the Mavericks went 2-0 against the Huskies, including an 85-81 win at Taylor Center, and a 96-74 win at the Pentagon in the second round of the NSIC Tournament.

Against the Bulldogs: Sunday's meeting between the Mavericks and Minnesota Duluth will represent the 72nd all-time meeting between them. MSU owns a 41-30 record against the Bulldogs, including wins in their last three games.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-4 all-time record against UMD, including a 5-3 record on the road.

Last season the Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs 86-71 in Taylor Center.  

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State resumes play on the road this weekend boasting a 9-2 overall record and a 4-1 NSIC record. MSU currently sits in fifth place in the NSIC standings.

The Mavericks have three player averaging more than 11 points per game this season, including senior Jalen Pendleton who is averaging 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 rebounds per game. His 5.1 assists per game rank second in the NSIC.

Junior Jon Fuqua and freshman Joey Witthus are each averaging 11.6 points per game. Fuqua is also hauling in 6.5 rebounds per game which ranks 13th in the NSIC, while Witthus leads the NSIC in three points shot made per game with 3.0. Withhus also ranks second in the league in three point shooting percentage with a mark of 53.2%.

As a team, MSU boasts the fourth best scoring offense and the fourth best scoring defense in the league. MSU is averaging 83.1 points per game, while giving up 69.6 points per contest.

The Mavericks are also second in the NSIC in three point field goals made per game (10.2) and three point shooting percentage (41.6%).

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State owns a 4-7 overall record and currently sits in a tie for 10th place in the NSIC standings with a 2-4 league record.

David Gage leads the Huskies in scoring with 19.3 points per game, which ranks second in the NSIC. Scottie Stone is averaging 17.6 points per game as well, which ranks sixth in the conference

As a team, SCSU ranks fifth in the league in scoring with 81.3 points per game, but just 12th in scoring defense with an average of 77.7 points per game.

SCSU is coached by Matt Reimer, who is in his second season at St. Cloud State. He owns a 22-19 overall record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs enter the week the owners of an 8-3 overall record and a 5-1 NSIC record which puts UMD in a tie for third place in the NSIC standings.

Minnesota Duluth is led by Pierre Newton, who ranks fourth in the league in scoring (18.5 ppg) and fifth in rebounding (7.6 rpg). Taylor Lavery is averaging 16.6 points per game as well, with Brendon Pineda following close behind with 15.1 points per contest.

As a team, UMD is averaging 78.7 points per game, while giving up 77.5 points a game, which rank eight and 11th in the NSIC, respectively.

The Bulldogs are coached by Matt Bowen, who is in his fourth year at UMD. He owns a 44-51 record with the Bulldogs.

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