MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind its 24-7 overall record, the Minnesota State men's basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. MSU will take on Northwest Missouri State in the opening round of the tournament at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Saturday at 8 p.m.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,269-858 (.596) in 2,127 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 will make their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this weekend as they face Northwest Missouri State on Saturday. 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 hosted four of the last five NCAA Central Region Tournaments at Taylor Center.

Against Northwest Missouri State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northwest Missouri State marks the fourth all-time meeting between them with MSU owning the series edge at 2-1.

During their last encounter, the Bearcats defeated the Mavericks 71-66 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Seniors Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan each tallied 16 points against Northwest Missouri State last season, with Monaghan passing out seven assists as well.

Zach Schneider added 13 points and four rebounds for the Bearcats.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 0-1 record against Northwest Missouri State.

Should MSU defeat Northwest Missouri State, the Mavericks would advance to the second round where they will take on the winner of the game between Augustana and Arkansas Tech on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the NCAA Central Region Tournament the owner of a 24-7 record, including an 81-80 loss to MSU Moorhead in its last outing in the third round of the NSIC Tournament.

MSU has three players averaging 12 points or more per game, with senior Assem Marei leading the way with 19.9 points and nine rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging 15.5 points and 8.1 assists per game, with senior Connor Miller netting 12 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Mavericks are shooting 49.8% from the field this season and have hauled in 36.1 rebounds per game. MSU has also passed out 507 assists, while forcing 342 turnovers.

Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State enters the week the owner of a 23-6 record, including a 65-58 loss to Pittsburg State in the MIAA Tournament that ended a 10-game winning streak.

The Bearcats have four players averaging 11.8 points per game or more, including Justin Pitts, who is averaging 16.7 points per game. Grant Cozad is dropping in 11.8 points and hauling in a team-leading 4.9 rebounds per game as well.

Northwest Missouri State is shooting 49.4% from the field, including an NCAA best 44% showing from behind the arc. The Bearcats have also forced 372 turnovers and have posted 179 steals.

The Bearcats are coached Ben McCollum, who is in his sixth season as head coach for the Northwest Missouri State men's basketball team.

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