MANKATO, Minn. --- The No. 17 Minnesota State men's basketball team continues its season in Seattle, Wash., this weekend as it takes on Seattle Pacific on Friday and Central Washington on Saturday. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., respectively.
Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season marks the 95th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,292-870 (.597) in 2,162 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 a 125-47 (.726) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this past season. MSU owns a 16-13 record (.551) in NCAA Tournament play, including an 85-81 win over MSU Moorhead and an 82-60 loss to Northwest Missouri State in the most recent trip to the tournament.
About Last Week: The Mavericks opened their 2016-17 season with a 1-1 record in St. Cloud, Minn., as they defeated Pittsburg State 85-80, before falling to Missouri Southern State in double overtime by the score of 109-103.
Against the Gorillas, the Mavericks shot 55.2% from the field and held a 35-23 advantage in rebounds. Senior
Jon Fuqua recorded a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 20 points and five rebounds. Sophomore
Cole Harper notched 12 points off the bench as well.
Against the Lions, Minnesota State shot 52.9% from the field, to go along with a 21-of-28 (.750) showing from the line. The Mavericks also owned the advantage on the glass as they outrebounded the Lions 40-26. Witthus led the Maverick offense with 30 points, while Fuqua notched his eighth career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Senior
Aarias Austin tallied 25 points and a game-high eight assists as well.
Against the Falcons: The Mavericks own a 0-1 all-time record against Seattle Pacific. MSU fell to the Falcons 72-63 back in the 1996-97 season.
Against the Wildcats: Minnesota State owns a 1-1 all-time record against Central Washington. The Mavericks defeated the Wildcats 68-57 in the first meeting during the 1996-97 season. In their last meeting during the 2004-05 season, Central Washington defeated MSU 88-78.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 1-1 record after splitting its two games this past weekend in St. Cloud, Minn. MSU defeated Pittsburg State 85-80, before it fell to Missouri Southern State 109-103 in double overtime.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 94.0 points and 42.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 54.0% from the field. MSU is also outrebounding its opponents 42-32.
Sophomore
Joey Witthus is averaging a team-leading 25.0 points per game, while senior
Jon Fuqua is averaging 20.5 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds a game. Senior
Aarias Austin has notched 13.5 points and 6.5 assists a game as well.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 331-124 (.727) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Falcons: Seattle Pacific enters the weekend owning a 2-0 record, including wins against Humboldt State (102-90) and Hawaii-Hilo (88-80).
As a team, SPU is averaging 95 points and 47.5 rebounds a game this season. The Falcons are also shooting 48.8% from the field, including a 40.4% showing from behind the arc.
Coleman Wooten is leading the SPU with an average of 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds a game. Joe Rasmussen is averaging 21.5 points a game, with Tony Miller following right behind with an average of 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
Grant Leep is in his first season at the helm of the Seattle Pacific men's basketball program
Concerning the Wildcats: Central Washington enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 overall record, which includes wins over Cal State San Bernardino (89-84) and Cal State Monterrey Bay (93-87) last weekend.
As a team, CWU is averaging 91 points and 33.5 rebounds a game this season. The Wildcats are shooting 45.2% from the field this season and are averaging 12 assists a game.
Dom Hunter is leading the Wildcats with 26.5 points per game. Fuquan Niles is averaging 13.5 points and a team-leading 6.0 rebounds as game as well.
Greg Sparling is in his 22nd season at the helm of the CWU men's basketball team. He owns a 359-228 overall record.
