MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team returns to Taylor Center this weekend to open the home portion of its NSIC schedule on Friday against Upper Iowa and on Saturday against Winona State. The opening tip for both games is scheduled for 8:00 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 1,275-861 (.596) in 2,136 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 111-41 (.730) 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 on the road this past weekend to open NSIC play as it fell to Augustana 97-68, before topping Wayne State 76-59. MSU now owns a 6-2 overall record, including a 1-1 league record.

Junior Mike Busack averaged a team-leading 17.5 points and seven rebounds per game last week, including a 22-point, 10-rebound performance against Wayne State. Senior Jalen Pendleton averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game last weekend, while senior Lucas Brown averaged 11 points per game.

As a team, MSU averaged 72 points and 34 rebounds per game last weekend, while shooting 46% from the field. The Mavericks also passed out 29 assists and recorded 10 steals, while shooting 40% from behind the arc.

Against the Peacocks: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa marks the 19th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks holding an 17-1 record against the Peacocks.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 17-1 overall record against Upper Iowa, including an 8-1 record in Taylor Center. Last season, the Mavericks swept the season series against the Peacocks, including an 88-87 overtime win at home last season. 

Against the Warriors: Saturday's encounter between MSU and Winona State marks the 130th all-time meeting between them, with MSU holding an 84-45 advantage in the series.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 12-16 all-time record against WSU, including a 5-7 record at Taylor Center. Last season, the Mavericks split the season series with the Warriors, with both teams winning on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks enter the weekend with a 6-2 record, including a 1-1 NSIC record. The Mavericks fell to Augustana 97-68, before defeating Wayne State 76-59.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points per game, including junior Mike Busack who is leading MSU with 14.6 points per game. Junior Jon Fuqua is averaging 11.6 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game, while senior Jalen Pendleton is averaging 12.5 points and 4.2 assists per contest.

As a unit, the Mavericks are shooting 45.8% from the field and are averaging 40.1 rebounds per game. MSU has also passed out 134 assists and has forced 103 turnovers.

Concerning the Peacocks: The Upper Iowa Peacocks enter the weekend the owners of a 5-6 overall record, including a 1-2 NSIC record. Last weekend UIU fell to both Sioux Falls (85-79) and to Southwest Minnesota State (87-81).

Jimmy Roth is one of three Peacocks averaging more than 10 points per game, as he currently boasts a team-high 12.6 points per game. Carson Parker is averaging 9.7 points per game, to go with a team-best 5.8 rebounds per game.

As a team, Upper Iowa is averaging 80 points and 37.3 rebounds per game. The Peacocks are also shooting 44.8% from the field to go with 31 blocks.

Upper Iowa is coached by Brooks McKowen, who is in his third season at UIU. He owns a 38-33 overall record.

Concerning the Warriors: The Winona State Warriors enter the weekend the owners of a 3-4 overall record, including a 2-1 mark in NSIC play. WSU has won its last two games over Southwest Minnesota State (86-75) and Sioux Falls (80-69).

Kyle Bauman is leading the Warriors with 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Bauman is also shooting 58.8% from the field. Mark Blacklock is averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as well.

As a team, Winona State is averaging 73.1 points and 32.6 rebounds per game. The Warriors are also shooting 49.6% from the field, including a 40.2% showing from behind the arc.

The Warriors are coached by Todd Eisner, who is in his first season at the helm of the WSU men's basketball program.

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