MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team returns home to begin a four-game homestand as it takes on Wayne State on Friday and #2 Augustana on Saturday. Game times are set for 8:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2015-16 season marks the 94th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,279-862 (.597) in 2,141 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 115-42 (.732) 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 Weekend: Minnesota State opened the 2016 calendar year with a split on the road last weekend as it topped St. Cloud State 86-71, before it fell to Minnesota Duluth 91-84.

Four Mavericks averaged more than 10 points a game last weekend, including senior Jalen Pendleton, who averaged a team-leading 21.5 points per game. Pendleton dropped in a season-high 30 points against the Bulldogs. Junior Jon Fuqua averaged 15 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last weekend as well.

Freshman Joey Witthus, who played 40 minutes against SCSU, averaged 10.5 points and five rebounds last weekend, while sophomore TJ Lake dropped in 11 points per game. Junior TJ Okafor averaged a team-high seven boards, including a career-high 11 rebounds against Minnesota Duluth.

As a team, MSU shot 46% from the field, to go with a 70.3% (45-of-64) showing from the charity stripe last weekend. The Mavericks also hauled in 37.5 rebounds per game and forced 29 turnovers.

Against the Wildcats: Friday's meeting between the Mavericks and Wayne State marks the 23rd all-time meeting between them, with MSU holding the series edge at 19-3.

MSU defeated WSC 76-59 on the road earlier this season. Freshman Joey Witthus recorded 14 points on a 4-of-5 showing from behind the arc against the Wildcats.

Matt Margenthaler owns a 15-1 all-time record against the Wildcats, including a 7-1 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Vikings: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and Augustana will be the 112th all-time meeting between them with MSU holding the series edge with a 62-49 record.

Earlier this season, Augustana defeated Minnesota State 97-68 in Sioux Falls. Seniors Jalen Pendleton and Lucas Brown each posted 20 points against the Vikings earlier this season.

Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-12 overall record against Augustana, including an 11-4 record in Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters this weekend the owner of a 10-3 record, including a 5-2 record in NSIC action. MSU's 5-2 league record places it in fifth place in the conference standings. MSU also owns a 7-0 record at Taylor Center this season, and has won its last nine games at home dating back to last season.

The Mavericks have four players averaging more than 10 points per game, including senior Jalen Pendleton, who boasts a team-leading 14.6 ppg which ranks 15th in the NSIC. Junior Jon Fuqua is averaging 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with the latter ranking 12th in the NSIC.

As a team, MSU boasts the NSIC's fourth best scoring offense with 83.4 ppg, and the league 5th best defense with an average of 71.4 ppg. The Mavericks also boast the sixth best shooting percentage in the league (.469) and the fourth best field goal defense (.416) in the conference.

Concerning the Wildcats: The Wayne State Wildcats enter the weekend the owners of a 3-10 overall record, including a 1-7 NSIC record that places them in a tie for 14th place in the league standings. WSC has lost its last three games, including a pair of losses to Southwest Minnesota State (82-73) and Sioux Falls (79-70) last weekend.

Matt Thomas is leading the WSC offense with an average of 16.8 ppg, which ranks ninth in the NSIC. Jordan Corneluis is averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as well.

As a team, Wayne State is scoring 73.4 points per game which ranks 13th in the conference. WSC is also giving up 81.9 points per game which ranks 15th in the league.

Brian Dolan is in his third season at the helm of the WSC men's basketball team. He currently owns a 19-51 record at Wayne State.

Concerning the Vikings: The #2 Augustana Vikings enter the weekend with an 11-1 overall record, including an 8-0 NSIC record. Last weekend, Augie defeated Sioux Falls (88-61) and Southwest Minnesota State (99-75).

The Vikings have three players ranked in the top-18 in the NSIC in scoring, including Daniel Jansen and Casey Schilling, who are averaging 18.6 and 18.1 points per game, respectively. Schilling is also leading the league in rebounding with 9.5 rebounds per contest.

As a team, Augustana leads the league in scoring (92.8 ppg), points against (68.1 ppg), three point shots made (11.1 per game) and three-point field goal percentage (.435).

Augustana is coached by Tom Billeter, who is in his 13th season at Augustana. He owns a 224-142 overall record at AU.

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