MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team wraps up the 2016 calendar year on the road this weekend as it takes on MSU Moorhead on Friday and Northern State 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 1,298-873 (.597) in 2,171 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 127-50 (.717) 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 Our Last Outings: Minnesota State improved to 7-4, including a 2-3 NSIC record, as it defeated Concordia-St. Paul and Waldorf in its most recent outings.
Against the Golden Bears on the road, four Mavericks recorded at least 10 points, including senior
Aarias Austin who tallied a game-high 24 points that was backed up by a 9-of-10 showing from the free throw line. Senior
Jon Fuqua added 19 points and six rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 40.7% from the field against CSP, to go along with a 28-of-31 (.903) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also held a 40-33 advantage in rebounds.
Against Waldorf, the Mavericks shot 55.6% from the field, including a 10-of-23 (.435) performance from behind the arc. MSU also shot 71% from the free throw line and forced 19 Warrior turnovers.
Fuqua led all scorers with 20 points, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 14 points and a game-high six rebounds.
Against the Dragons: Friday's game between the Mavericks and the Dragons marks their 94th all-time meeting between them. The Mavericks lead the series 61-32, which includes an 85-81 victory in their last meeting in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Last season, the Mavericks went 1-1 against the Dragons. Senior
Jon Fuqua averaged 23.0 points and 7.5 rebounds against the Dragons, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. Sophomore
Cole Harper 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds a game as well.
MSU Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 10-5 record against the Dragons, including a 3-3 record on the road.
Against the Wolves: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 23rd all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 15-7 series edge.
Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Wolves 119-115 in double overtime at Taylor Center. Senior
Jon Fuqua notched a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
MSU Head Coach
Matt Magenthaler owns an 8-4 record against the Wolves, including a 2-3 road record.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 7-4 overall record, including a 2-3 NSIC record. The Mavericks went 2-0 during their last two games as they defeated Concordia-St. Paul 86-82 on the road and Waldorf 102-57 at Taylor Center.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 85.1 points and 37.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.6% from the field. MSU is also outrebounding its opponents 37.5-34.8.
Four Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including senior
Jon Fuqua who is leading the Mavericks with 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game. Sophomore
Joey Witthus is averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, while senior
Aarias Austin is averaging 13.5 points a game.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 337-137 (.710) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead owns a 10-2 overall record, including a 5-1 NSIC record. The Dragons fell to Northern State 118-117 in double overtime, before defeating Mayville State 81-59 in the most recent outings.
As a team, the Dragons are averaging 92.8 points and 35.6 rebounds a game. MSU Moorhead is also shooting 52.5% from the field, including a 45.4% showing from behind the arc.
Aaron Lien leads the Dragon offense with an average of 18.3 points per game. Ayob Ayob is averaging 16.9 points per game as well and is leading MSU Moorhead with 37 three point field goals.
The Dragons are coached by Chad Walthall, who is in his seventh season with the Dragons. He owns a 151-53 record.
Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-4 overall record, including a 4-2 NSIC record. NSU has won its last three games, including a 118-117 double overtime win against MSU Moorhead in its latest game.
As a team, NSU is averaging 89.3 points and 36.9 rebounds a game this season. The Wolves are also shooting 51.1% from the field and have passed out 172 assists.
Mack Arvidson is leading the Northern State offense with an average of 19.1 points a game. Logan Doyle is posting 12.8 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds a game as well.
Paul Sather is in his seventh season as head coach of the Wolves. He owns a 112-74 overall record.
