MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens its 2016-17 regular season schedule this weekend in St. Cloud, Minn. MSU opens competition on Friday as it takes on Pittsburg State at 5:00 p.m., before it squares off with Missouri Southern State on Saturday, at 3:00 p.m.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season marked the 95th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,291-869 (.597) in 2,160 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 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.

Who We Got Coming Back: Minnesota State welcomes back four letterwinners from last season's squad that finished the 2015-16 season with a 22-10 record, including seniors Jon Fuqua and Grant Pope, along with sophomores Cole Harper and Joey Witthus.

Fuqua, who averaged 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season, received All-NSIC Second Team honors a year ago. Fuqua also shot 55.8% from the field and notched seven double-doubles. Pope saw action in 12 games last season as well.

Witthus, who started in all 32 games last season, shot 46.4% (78-of-168) from behind the arc. Witthus finished his freshman campaign averaging 12 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. Harper started in MSU's final 10 games last season, including both of MSU's NCAA Tournament contests where he averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Fresh Faces: Minnesota State will see eight new faces on this season's squad, to go along with its two returning redshirt freshmen in Carter Asche and Baily Williams. Five transfers and three freshman have also joined Maverick men's basketball team. 

Transfers include seniors Aarias Austin (Northern Iowa), AJ Patty (Murray State) and Trey Sampson (Missouri Western State), junior Charlie Brown (Missouri Southern State) and sophomore Jay Knuth (Loyola University Chicago). 

MSU's three incoming freshmen include Cameron Kirksey, Kevin Krieger and Connor Murrell. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2015-16 season with a 22-10 overall record, including a 15-7 NSIC record. MSU finished third in the NSIC standings last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, Minnesota State averaged 81.9 points and 39.6 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 46.2% form the field. MSU also passed out 449 assists and tallied 153 steals.

Senior Jon Fuqua returns after averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season. Fuqua also shot 55.8% from the field. Sophomore Joey Witthus, who started all 32 games last season, averaged 12 points and 4.2 rebounds as well.

Matt Margenthaler begins his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 330-123 overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Against Pittsburg State: Minnesota State's game against Pittsburg State this weekend marks the second all-time meeting between them, with PSU owning a 1-0 record against the Mavericks.

Last season, the Gorillas defeated MSU 62-59 in Joplin, Mo. Senior Jon Fuqua recorded six points, five rebounds and two assists against PSU, including a 3-of-3 showing from the field.

Jaxon Holden recorded a game-high 19 points against the Mavericks last season. Josiah Gustafson notched 10 points and five rebounds as well.

Concerning the Gorillas: Pittsburg State finished its 2015-16 season with a 16-13 overall record, including an 11-11 record in Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. The Gorillas have competed in two exhibition contests this season including a pair of losses to Kansas State (85-72) and Oklahoma State (117-64).

As a team, PSU averaged 77.3 points and 31 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 48.7% from the field. The Gorillas also shot 39.8% from behind the three point line.

Josiah Gustafson returns after averaging 15.4 points and a team-leading 5.1 rebounds a game last season. Dakota Jones averaged 11.7 points a game as well.

Pittsburg State is coached by Kevin Muff, who begins his seventh season at PSU. He owns a 92-80 overall record.

Against Missouri Southern State: The Mavericks own a 1-0 all-time record against Missouri Southern State. The Mavericks defeated MSSU 79-67 last season.

Senior Jon Fuqua notched his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Lions. 

Junior Charlie Brown scored 11 points as a member of Missouri Southern State last season.

Concerning the Lions: Missouri Southern State posted an 18-12 overall record last season, including a 14-8 MIAA record.

The Lions return Isaac Kreuer who tallied 5.2 points and 2.3 rebounds a game last season.

The Lions are coached by Jeff Boschee, who is in his third season at Missouri Southern State. He owns a 38-23 overall record.