MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens the 2017 calendar year this weekend as it takes on Augustana on Friday and Wayne 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 1,300-873 (.598) in 2,173 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 129-50 (.720) 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 9-4, including a 4-3 NSIC record, as it defeated both MSU Moorhead and Northern State on the road last weekend. This is the first time MSU has swept the Dragons and the Wolves on the road. The Mavericks' win against NSU was their 1,300th in program history.
The Mavericks began the week with a 74-65 over MSU Moorhead. Sophomore
Joey Witthus led the Maverick offense with 27 points, while sophomore
Cole Harper notched eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman
Kevin Krieger tallied 11 points and five rebounds, while freshman
Cameron Kirksey added nine points and four rebounds off the bench.
As a team, MSU shot 44.6% from the field against the Dragons, to go with an 8-of-18 (.444) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 17 assists and only committed three turnovers.
MSU finished the weekend with a 90-85 win over Northern State. Witthus led the Mavericks in scoring against with 22 points, while senior
Jon Fuqua added 21 points and 17 rebounds. Krieger notched 17 points and seven rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 46.8% from the field against the Wolves and connected on 28-of-39 (.718) opportunities from the free throw line. The Mavericks also posted six blocks and committed just six turnovers, while forcing 17.
Against the Vikings: Friday's game between the Mavericks and Vikings marks their 114th encounter, with MSU holding a 62-51 series advantage. Augustana has won the last four meetings against MSU, including an 83-81 win earlier this season in Sioux Falls.
Four Mavericks reached double-figures in scoring against the Vikings earlier this season. Senior
Aarias Austin notched a team-leading 18 points, while senior
Jon Fuqua, junior
Charlie Brown and sophomore
Joey Witthus each posted 12 points.
MSU Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-14 record against the Vikings, including an 11-4 record at Taylor Center.
Against Wildcats: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 25th all-time meeting. MSU owns a 21-3 overall record against WSC.
Earlier this season the Mavericks defeated the Wildcats 77-72 in Wayne, Neb. Junior
Charlie Brown led the Maverick offense with 26 points against WSC, as MSU shot 45.5% from the field and 21-of-24 (.875) from the free throw line.
MSU Head Coach
Matt Magenthaler owns an 18-1 record against the Wildcats, including an 8-1 record at Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 9-4 overall record, including a 4-3 NSIC record. The Mavericks went 2-0 during their last two games as they topped MSU Moorhead (74-65) and Northern State (90-85) on the road last weekend. MSU has now won four straight games.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 84.6 points and 37.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.3% from the field. MSU has also passed out 174 assists and has tallied 44 blocks.
Sophomore
Joey Witthus is averaging a team-leading 17.1 points per game, while senior
Jon Fuqua has posted 15.5 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds a game.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 339-137 (.712) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 10-4 overall record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. The Vikings fell to Southwest Minnesota State (78-76) and Sioux Falls (69-62) at home last weekend.
As a team, the Vikings are averaging 82.4 points and 37.3 rebounds a game. AU is also shooting 49.3% from the field and 42.0% from behind the arc.
Jordan Spencer leads Augustana with an average of 15.6 points and 7.3 assists per game this season. Mike Busack is averaging 14.1 points and a team-leading 5.8 rebounds per game.
Augustana is coached by Tom Billeter, who is in his 16th season with the Vikings. Billeter owns a 257-147 record at AU.
Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-10 overall record, including a 2-6 NSIC record. Last weekend, WSC fell to both Sioux Falls (64-58) and Southwest Minnesota State (85-73).
As a team, WSC is averaging 72.8 points and 30.7 rebounds a game this season. The Wildcats are shooting 44.6% from the field and have passed out 180 assists.
Kendall Jacks leads the WSC offense with an average of 13.6 points a game. Matt Thomas is averaging 11.6 points per contest as well.
The Wildcats are coached by Jeff Kaminsky, who is in his first season at Wayne State.
