MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team begins Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action this weekend as it travels to Wayne State on Friday and #21 Augustana on Saturday. Game times are set for 8:00 p.m., and 6:00 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 1,295-870 (.598) in 2,165 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: Minnesota State won its only game last weekend as it defeated the St. Cloud State Huskies 79-62 on the road in a nonconference game to improve to 4-1 on the season. With the loss, SCSU fell to 3-5.
The Maverick starters combined for 65 of MSU's points against St. Cloud, with each player scoring at least 10 points. Senior
Jon Fuqua tallied a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore
Cole Harper notched 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore
Joey Witthus added 12 points and five rebounds, while senior
AJ Patty and junior
Charlie Brown each dropped in 10 points.
Against the Wildcats: Friday's meeting between the Mavericks and Wayne State marks the 24th meeting between them, with MSU owning a 20-3 all-time record against the Wildcats.
Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-1 all-time record against WSC, including a 7-0 record on the road.
MSU has won its last eight encounters with Wayne State including an 86-81 home victory last season. In their last meeting, Senior
Jon Fuqua tallied 16 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore
Cole Harper added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Against Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks the 113th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks owning a 62-50 record against the Vikings.
Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-13 record against AU, including an 8-7 record on the road.
Augustana has won the last three games against MSU, including a 101-91 win in their most recent encounter last season. Senior
Jon Fuqua posted a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 16 points and four rebounds.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 4-1 last weekend as it defeated St. Cloud State 79-62 on the road in a nonconference game.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 89.8 points and 41.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.2% from the field. MSU is also outrebounding its opponents 41.2-36.8.
A total of six Mavericks are averaging at least 10 points a game this season, including sophomore Joey Witthus, who is averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. Senior Jon Fuqua has notched 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, while junior Charlie Brown has averaged 14.6 points and 3.4 rebounds a game.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 334-134 (.715) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend with a 1-5 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. WSC has lost its last five games, including a 75-63 loss to Nebraska-Kearney on Monday.
As a team, WSC is averaging 73.0 points and 31.7 rebounds a game. The Wildcats are shooting 43.4% from the field as well. Opponents are averaging 80.5 points and 39.7 rebounds a game thus far.
Kendall Jacks leads the WSC offense with an average of 14 points per game. Jordan Cornelius is averaging 10 points and 5.7 rebounds a game as well.
The Wildcats are coached by Jeff Kaminsky and he is in his first season at the helm of the Wayne State men's basketball program.
Concerning the Vikings: #21 Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 5-1 overall record, including a 1-0 NSIC record. AU has won its last two games, including an 89-66 win against Peru State.
As a team, Augustana is averaging 80.3 points and 40.2 rebounds a game. The Vikings are also shooting 46.1% from the field, including a 42.8% showing from behind the arc.
Jordan Spencer leads the Vikings with an average of 15.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. Former Maverick Mike Busack is averaging 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game as well.
Head Coach Tom Billeter is in his 14th season at Augustana and he owns a 253-144 record.
