MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens postseason action this Wednesday as it hosts Minnesota Crookston in the opening round of the of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.
MSU earned the No. 2 seed from the south division after posting a 17-5 record, while Minnesota Crookston received the No. 7 seed from the north division after posting a 5-17 league record.
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,267-857 (.596) in 2,124 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 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.
Tourney Time: With its 17-5 NSIC record, the Minnesota State men's basketball team secured home court advantage in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament for the third consecutive season, and for the third straight season, MSU will host Minnesota Crookston in the first round.
Should MSU defeat Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday they will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the remainder of the NSIC Tournament. MSU would then take on the winner of the game between St. Cloud State and Southwest Minnesota State in the second round on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanford Pentagon.
Two seasons ago, the Mavericks defeated the Golden Eagles 86-60 in the first round. Senior
Zach Monaghan led the Mavericks in scoring with 18 points. Last season, MSU defeated UMC 76-60, with senior
Assem Marei recording a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
MSU has won its last eight NSIC Tournament games dating back to the 2012-13 season, en route to securing two NSIC Tournament championships.
About Last Weekend: Minnesota State finished its regular season schedule on the road last weekend as it defeated Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. MSU ended the regular season with a 22-6 overall record and a 17-5 NSIC record.
Against USF, senior
Assem Marei posted a double-double with a career-high 34 points and 12 rebounds, while senior
Zach Monaghan added 25 points and six assists.
The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 108-73 win over Southwest Minnesota State. Marei led the Mavericks with 24 points and eight rebounds, while freshman
TJ Lake matched his season-high with 20 points.
Against Minnesota Crookston: Wednesday's meeting against Minnesota Crookston marks the 20th meeting all-time between the Mavericks and the Golden Eagles. MSU owns a 19-0 record against UMC, including an 80-50 win in Crookston earlier this season.
In their previous meeting, the Mavericks saw four players reach double-digits in scoring as seniors
Assem Marei and
Zach Monaghan led the way with 22 points each. Marei also tallied 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Monaghan passed out nine assists. Senior
Connor Miller added 14 points, while freshman
TJ Lake tallied 13 points as well.
MSU head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-0 overall record against Minnesota Crookston, including an 8-0 record in Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 22-6 record, including a 17-5 NSIC record. MSU defeated both Sioux Falls (78-73) and Southwest Minnesota State (108-73) last weekend on the road to wrap up its regular season.
Senior
Assem Marei leads the Mavericks with 20.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Senior
Zach Monaghan is averaging 15.1 points and 8.2 assists per game.
As a team, the Mavericks have shot 49.4% from the field this season and have hauled in 35.8 rebounds per game. MSU has also passed out 461 assists, while forcing 312 turnovers.
Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the week the owner of an 7-19 overall record, including a 5-17 NSIC record. UMC has lost its last five games, including losses to Northern State (64-54) and MSU Moorhead (66-44) last weekend.
Derrick Redd leads the Golden Eagle offense with 11.4 points per game. Tyler West is averaging 10 points and a team-leading 6.7 rebounds per game.
As a team, Minnesota Crookston is shooting 38.8% from the field, to go along with 30.2 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles have committed 291 turnovers as well.
Dan Weisse is in his first year at the helm of the men's basketball team at Minnesota Crookston.
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