MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will host its final regular season home games at Taylor Center this weekend as it takes on Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday. Game times are set 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 1,264-856 (.596) in 2,120 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 107-39 (.732) 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.

Senior Day: MSU's Saturday evening contest will mark the final regular season home game for MSU's senior class that includes Assem Marei, Connor Miller, Zach Monaghan and Zach Romashko.

Earlier this Week: Minnesota State improved to 11-0 in Taylor Center last Tuesday as it topped the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears 93-80 to improve to 19-5 on the season.

A total of five Mavericks netted at least 14 points, with senior Zach Monaghan leading the way with 25 points and nine assists. Senior Assem Marei and TJ Lake each chipped in with 15 points, while senior Connor Miller and Mike Busack tallied 14 points.

Against Winona State: Friday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Warriors will mark the 129th meeting between them. MSU owns the series edge at 84-44, including wins in their last two meetings.

In their previous meeting this season, the Mavericks defeated the Warriors 79-67 in Winona. Senior Zach Monaghan tallied a game-high 21 points, while senior Assem Marei notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 12-15 overall record against Winona State, including a 5-6 record at Taylor Center.

Against Upper Iowa: Saturday's meeting with Upper Iowa will be the 18th game between them, with the Mavericks holding the series edge at 16-1. MSU defeated UIU 89-78 earlier this season in Fayette.

Senior Connor Miller dropped in a game-high 30 points against the Peacocks, while senior Zach Monaghan posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-1 all-time record against Upper Iowa, including an 8-1 record in Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 19-5 record, including a 14-4 NSIC record. MSU has won its last three games and currently sits in third place in the NSIC standings.

Senior Assem Marei leads the Mavericks with an average of 19 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging a team-high 8.4 assists per game, to go along with 14.8 points.

As a team, MSU is shooting 49.6% from the field and currently holds a +4 rebound margin against its opponents.

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the weekend the owner of an 11-11 record, including an 8-10 NSIC record. The Warriors have lost their last two games and are currently 0-9 in road games this season.

Isaiah Gray is leading the WSU offense with an average of 13.8 points per game. Riley Bambenek is averaging 13.1 points per game as well.

As a team, the Warriors are shooting 45.6% from the field, to go along with a 35.8% showing from behind the arc.

Mike Leaf is in his 17th season at the helm of the Winona State men's basketball team. He owns a 379-150 overall record.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 14-10 record, including a 10-8 NSIC record. Last weekend UIU defeated Minnesota Duluth 68-64, before falling to St. Cloud State 91-82.

Bo Pagel leads the Peacock offense with an average of 12.6 points, with Grant Lang following close behind with 12 points per game.

As a team Upper Iowa is averaging 82.6 points per game, while shooting 44.5% from the field. The Peacocks have passed out 345 assists and have forced 355 turnovers.

UIU is coached by Brooke McKowen who is in his second season at Upper Iowa. He owns a 30-24 record.

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