MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team wraps up the 2017 calendar year this weekend at Taylor Center as it takes on MSU Moorhead on Saturday and #13 Northern State on Sunday. Game times are set for 6:00 p.m., and 4:00 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 1,321-881 (.599) in 2,202 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 144-55 (.723) 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 Dragons: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 95th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 62-32. The Mavericks won their only meeting last season as they bested the Dragons 74-65 on the road. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 11-5 record against the Dragons, including a pair of wins in their last two meetings.

Sophomore Kevin Krieger tallied 11 points and five rebounds against the Dragons last season, while junior Cole Harper added eight points and 11 rebounds. As a team, The Mavericks shot 44.6% from the field, including an 8-of-18 (.444) showing from long range. The Mavericks also passed out 17 assists and notched 30 points in the paint.

Tanner Kretchman tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against the Mavericks last season, while Addison Park posted 10 points, five rebounds and four blocks. As a team, MSU Moorhead shot 33.2% from the field against the Mavericks, including a 9-of-31 (.290) performance from three point range. 

Against the Wolves: Sunday's game between Minnesota State and #13 Northern State marks their 24th all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 16-7 series advantage. The Mavericks have won their last two meetings, including a 90-85 road victory last season. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-4 record against the Wolves.

Sophomore Kevin Krieger posted 17 points and seven rebounds against NSU last season, while junior Cole Harper added 14 points and four rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 46.8% from the field, to go along with a 28-of-39 (.718) performance from the free throw line.

Logan Doyle and DJ Pollard each recorded a double-double last season against the Mavericks. Doyle notched 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Pollard posted 14 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, NSU shot 54.5% from the field, but it committed 17 turnovers.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 9-2 record this season, including a 5-0 NSIC record after defeating Concordia-St. Paul (93-68) and Waldorf (69-59) in its most recent outings. MSU has won its last six games.

Senior Charlie Brown leads the Maverick offense this season with 15.7 points and 3.4 assists per game. Sophomore Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.2 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Sophomore Cameron Kirksey is posting 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds a game as well.

As a team, MSU is shooting 49.3% from the field this season, including a 40.0% showing from long range. MSU is also hauling in 35.6 rebounds per game and has dished out 129 assists.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 360-145 (.712).

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 4-8 overall record, including a 2-4 NSIC record. The Dragons have lost their last three games, including a pair of losses to Northern State (95-74 & 89-70) in their most recent outings.

As a unit, MSU Moorhead is averaging 78.4 points and 32.3 rebounds a game this season. The Dragons are shooting 48.6% from the field, including a 34.3% showing from behind the three point line.

Tanner Kretchman leads the MSUM offense with 17.4 points and 3.5 assists a game. Evan Hines is averaging 11.1 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds a game.

Chad Walthall is in his eighth season as head coach of the MSU Moorhead men's basketball team. He owns a 169-65 record. 

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of a 12-1 overall record, including a 6-0 NSIC record. NSU has won its last 11 games, with its only loss coming against #1 Northwest Missouri State.

Five Wolves are averaging at least 10.2 points per game, including DJ Pollard, who is boasting 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Logan Doyle is averaging 10.2 points and 7.1 rebounds a game as well.

As a team, Northern State is averaging 77.0 points and 37.2 rebounds per game this season. The Wolves are shooting 48.7% from the field and have passed out 199 assists.

The Wolves are coached by Paul Sather who is in his eighth season at Northern State. He owns a 137-79 record.