MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens its 2017-18 season this weekend in Pittsburg, Kan., as it takes on the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Friday and the Missouri Southern State Lions on Saturday. Game times are set for 12:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., respectively.
Minnesota State History: The 2017-18 season marks the 96th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,312-879 (.598) in 2,191 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.
Against the Gorillas: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Pittsburg State marks their third all-time meeting with the series tied at 1-1. Last season the Mavericks defeated the Gorillas 85-80 in St. Cloud, Minn.
As a team, MSU shot 55.2% from the field against PSU last season, including a 16-of-26 (61.5%) effort in the first half. The Mavericks boasted a 35-23 advantage in rebounds and a 19-7 advantage in assists. Junior
Cole Harper notched 12 points and four rebounds against PSU, which included a 7-of-8 performance from the free throw line. Senior
Charlie Brown added nine points and three assists as well.
Pittsburg State shot 55.6% from the field during its game against the Mavericks last season, including a 7-of-16 (.438) effort from behind the three point line. PSU also forced 15 Maverick turnovers, but also committed 14 of its own. Brandon Clifford led the PSU offense with 24 point, while Dakota Jones netted 22 points.
Against the Lions: Saturday's match up between the Mavericks and Missouri Southern State marks their third all-time meeting with the series tied at 1-1. Last season, the Lions bested the Mavericks 109-103 in double overtime in St. Cloud, Minn.
As a team, MSU shot 52.9% from the field and went 21-of-28 (.750) from the free throw line. The Mavericks also passed out 21 assists and hauled in 49 rebounds. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger tallied nine points, six rebounds and five assists, while senior
Charlie Brown added eight points.
As a team, Missouri Southern State shot 41.9% from the field, to go along with a 27-of-37 (.730) showing from the charity stripe. As a team, MSSU finished the game with 41 rebounds and 13 steals. CJ Carr finished the game with 47 points, while LJ Ross notched a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2016-17 season with a 21-10 record, including a 14-8 NSIC record. MSU went 8-3 in its last 11 outings.
As a team, MSU tallied 77.4 points and 35.4 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 46.6% from the field. The Mavericks also passed out 395 assists and recorded 113 blocks.
Senior
Charlie Brown averaged 8.8 points per game last season, while junior
Cole Harper added 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey averaged 6.2 points per game and led MSU in blocks with 44.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 351-143 (.710).
Concerning the Gorillas: The Pittsburg State Gorillas finished their 2016-17 season with a 5-22 record, including a 3-16 MIAA record. PSU lost six of its final seven games last season.
As a team, Pittsburg State averaged 65.2 points and 32.3 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 43.4% from the field. PSU committed 424 turnovers and recorded 160 steals.
Jaxon Holden returns after averaging 10.5 points through 13 games last season. RJ Pair averaged 8.4 points per game and passed out a team-leading 55 assists as well.
The Gorillas are coached by Kim Anderson, who is in his first season at Pittsburg State.
Concerning the Lions: Missouri Southern State finished the 2016-17 season with an 18-12 record, including an 11-8 MIAA record.
As a team, MSSU averaged 81.2 points and 35.9 rebounds per game. The Lions also shot 44% from the field, to go along with a 75.6% showing from the line.
CJ Carr led the Lion offense last season with an average of 19.2 points and 5.4 assists per game. Elyjah Clark averaged 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds a game as well.
Missouri Southern State is coached by Jeff Boschee, who is in his fourth season at MSSU. He owns a 56-35 record.
