MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens its home schedule this Saturday as it takes on St. Cloud State in a nonconference game at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Minnesota State History: The 2017-18 season marks the 96th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,313-880 (.598) in 2,195 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 139-55 (.716) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. 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.
Previous Encounters: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State will be their 176th all-time meeting, with SCSU holding the series edge at 89-86. Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Huskies twice, both time by the score of 79-62.
Senior
Charlie Brown averaged 10.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game against SCSU, while junior
Cole Harper tallied 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. As a team, MSU shot 47.5% from the field, while holding the Huskies to a 36.8 shooting percentage.
Head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-15 overall record against St. Cloud State, including wins, in MSU's last seven games against the Huskies. Margenthaler owns an 11-6 record against St. Cloud State in Taylor Center as well.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 3-1 record so far this season, including a pair of wins against Dominican (83-72) and Fresno Pacific (93-68) last weekend in Rohnert Park, Calif.
Four Mavericks scored at least 12 points in MSU's win vs. Dominican, including senior
Charlie Brown, who tallied a team-best 23 points. Senior
Chris Kendrix added 15 points and a team-leading six rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 53.7% from the field against the Penguins, to go along with a 21-of-22 (.955) showing from the free throw line.
Against Fresno Pacific, five Mavericks tallied at least 11 points, with Brown leading the MSU offense with 22 points. Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Kendrix tallied 11 points and seven rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 57.4% from the field, including a 10-of-24 (.417) performance from behind the three point line.
A total of four Mavericks are averaging at least 11.5 points per game this season, including Brown who is averaging 19.8 points and 3.8 assists a game. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is averaging 14.0 points and 4.3 rebounds a game as well. As a team, MSU is shooting 49.6% from the field and 85% from the free throw line.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 354-144 (.710).
Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-2 record, including a 67-51 win vs. Mayville State and a 73-67 loss to Saint John's last weekend.
As a unit, SCSU is averaging 68.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season. The Huskies are also shooting 41.5% from the field, including a 26.1% showing from behind the arc. Opponents are shooting 44.2% from the field against SCSU, including a 37.8% showing from three point land.
Jon Averkamp leads the SCSU offense with 22.0 points and 8.3 rebounds a game this season. Sean Smith is posting 10.8 points and a team-best 11.0 rebounds a game as well.
Matt Reimer is in his fourth season as head coach at St. Cloud State. He owns a 52-54 overall record.
