MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will wrap up its regular season schedule this weekend as it travels to Sioux Falls on Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Game times are scheduled for 8 p.m. and 7 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 1,265-857 (.596) in 2,122 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 108-40 (.729) 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.

About Last Weekend: Minnesota State finished its regular season home schedule last weekend as it fell to Winona State 68-66, before defeating Upper Iowa 88-87 in overtime. MSU now owns a 20-6 overall record, including a 15-5 NSIC record.

Senior Assem Marei posted 24 points and 15 rebounds against both the Warriors and the Peacocks, en route to securing his third NSIC South Division Player of the Week award.

Senior Connor Miller averaged 12.5 points, five rebound and five assists last weekend as well. Miller hit the game-tying three to force overtime against UIU, which ultimately led the Mavericks securing the 88-87 win.

Against Sioux Falls: Friday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Cougars marks the 13th all-time meeting between them, with MSU owning the series edge at 10-2.

In their previous meeting, the Mavericks defeated USF 76-62 in Taylor Center. Senior Assem Marei tallied a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, while senior Zach Monaghan notched 21 points, to go along with eight assists.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 7-1 overall record against Sioux Falls, including a 2-1 record in Sioux Falls.

Against Southwest Minnesota State: Saturday's meeting the Mustangs marks the 52nd meeting between MSU and SMSU. The Mavericks own the series edge at 38-13, including a 95-78 win in Taylor Center earlier this season.

Senior Connor Miller led the Maverick offense against the Mustangs in their first meeting this season as he poured in 24 points, to go along with six rebounds. Seniors Zach Monaghan and Zach Romashko each tallied 18 points as well, with Monaghan distributing 12 assists.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 17-7 overall record, including a 6-3 record in Marshall.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 20-5 record, including a 15-5 NSIC record. MSU fell to Winona State 68-66, before defeating Upper Iowa 88-87 in overtime last weekend in Taylor Center.

Senior Assem Marei leads the Mavericks with an average of 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging a team-high 8.3 assists per game, to go along with 14.8 points.

As a team, MSU is shooting 49% from the field and currently holds a +3.9 rebound margin against its opponents.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the week the owner of an 8-18 overall record, including a 5-15 NSIC record. USF has lost its last two games to Wayne State (73-50) and Augustana (78-61).

Charles Ward leads the Cougar offense with an average of 17.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Mack Johnson is averaging 14.6 points per game, while shooting 45% from the  field.

As a team, USF is shooting 44.2% from the field, to go along with 34.8 rebounds per game. The Cougars have also committed 394 turnovers.

Chris Johnson is in his seventh season at the helm of the men's basketball program at Sioux Falls.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 12-14 record, including an 8-12 NSIC record. Last weekend, SMSU lost to both Augustana (92-80) and Wayne State (86-80).

Joey Bartlett is averaging a team-leading 13.8 points per game, while Mitch Weg is bringing down a team-high 6.2 rebounds per contest.

As a unit, SMSU is shooting 48.2% from the field, to go along with a 40% showing from behind the arc. The Mustangs have also committed 309 turnovers.

The Mustangs are coached by Brad Bigler, who is in his sixth season at SMSU. He owns an overall record of 95-77.

To view the complete release click HERE