MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team returns to Taylor Center for a four-game homestand as it takes on Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday and Waldorf on Tuesday. Game times are set for 2:00 p.m., and 12:00 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 1,319-881 (.599) in 2,200 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 143-55 (.722) 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 Golden Bears: Friday's encounter between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 30th all-time meeting, with MSU owning a 22-7 record against the Golden Bears. MSU won all three of its games against CSP last season, including a 73-51 win in their last meeting in the second round of the NSIC Tournament. Head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-5 record against the Golden Bears, including an 11-2 record at Taylor Center.
Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a game last season against the Golden Bears, while junior
Cole Harper added 4.0 points and 1.7 rebounds a game. As a team, the Mavericks shot 45.8% from the field against CSP. MSU also forced 40 Golden Bear turnovers.
The Golden Bears averaged 63 points and 34.7 rebounds a game against the Mavericks last season. CSP also shot 41.3% from the field. Bryndan Matthews averaged 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds a game against the Mavericks last season, while Ted Brown posted 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
Against the Warriors: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and Waldorf marks their 11th all-time meeting, with MSU controlling the all-time series at 9-1. MSU defeated Waldorf 102-57 in their only meeting last season. Head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 4-0 record against the Warriors.
Junior
Cole Harper recorded 10 points and five rebounds against Waldorf last season, while sophomore
Cameron Kirksey added nine points and two blocks. As a team, MSU shot 55.6% from the field against Waldorf last season, including a 10-of-23 (.435) showing from long range.
Falmata Tula tallied a team-leading 15 points and five rebounds against MSU last season, while Shay Motter added 11 points and three rebounds. As a team, Waldorf shot 32.8% from the field.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 7-2 record this season, including a 4-0 NSIC record after defeating Winona State (83-72) and Upper Iowa (86-83) on the road last weekend. MSU is currently on a four-game winning streak.
Senior
Charlie Brown leads the Maverick offense this season with 17.8 points and 3.9 assists per game. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey is posting 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a game as well.
As a team, MSU is shooting 49.5% from the field this season, including a 40.3% showing from long range. MSU is also hauling in 35.0 rebounds per game and has dished out 106 assists.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 358-145 (.711).
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-9 record, including a 0-4 record in NSIC play. CSP has lost its last seven games, including a pair of road losses to Upper Iowa (85-75) and Winona State (77-59) last weekend.
As a unit, CSP is averaging 68.4 points and 36.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.1% from the field. The Golden Bears have also tallied 130 assists, but have committed 143 turnovers.
Bryndan Matthews leads CSP with 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Avan Ward is recording 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as well.
Joey James is in his fourth season as head coach at Concordia-St. Paul. He owns a 39-61 record.
Concerning the Warriors: Waldorf owns a 6-7 overall record, but will take on Luther College, Viterbo and Bellevue University before it squares off with the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Kaden Verdin leads the Warrior offense with 16.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. Brady Kuchinka is averaging 13.6 points per game as well.
As a team, Waldorf is averaging 70.8 points and 34.7 rebounds a game this season. The Warriors are shooting 41.5% from the field, including a 33.6% showing from long range
The Warriors are coached by Nigel Jenkins, who is in his seventh season at Waldorf. He owns a 91-93 overall record. Prior to his tenure at Waldorf, Jenkins served as an assistant coach at Minnesota State for three seasons.
