MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues its conference schedule on the road this weekend as it takes on Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday. Game times are set for 8:00 p.m., and 6:00 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 1,317-881 (.599) in 2,198 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 141-55 (.719) 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 Warriors: Friday's encounter between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 134th all-time meeting, with MSU owning an 86-47 record against the Warriors. MSU and WSU split their season series last year with both teams winning on the road. Winona State bested MSU 89-64, before the Mavericks evened the series with a 69-68 win. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 14-18 record against the Warriors, including a 6-9 record at Winona.

Sophomore Cameron Kirksey averaged 9.0 points and 2.5 rebounds a game last season, against the Warriors, while junior Cole Harper added 8.5 points and 2.5 rebounds a game. As a team, MSU shot 41.1% from the field last season against WSU. The Mavericks also forced 23 turnovers.

Tommy Gathje averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season against the Mavericks, while Corey Jeffs added 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds a game. As a team, WSU shot 60% from the field against Minnesota State last season and held a 67-52 advantage in rebounds.

Against the Peacocks: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa marks their 24th all-time meeting, with MSU controlling the season series at 19-4. UIU won all three meeting against the Mavericks last season, including a 63-55 win in the third round of the NSIC Tournament. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-4 record against the Peacocks.

Senior Charlie Brown averaged 10.3 points and 2.5 assists per game against UIU last season. As a team, MSU shot 40.5% from the field against Upper Iowa and held a 110-100 advantage in rebounds.

Carson Parker averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season against the Mavericks, while Dennis Austin III tallied 8.3 points per game. As a unit, UIU shot 50.6% from the field against the Mavericks.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 5-2 record this season, including a 2-0 NSIC record after posting home victories against Wayne State (86-58) and Augustana (90-79) last weekend.

Senior Charlie Brown leads the Maverick offense this season with 19.1 points and 3.9 assists per game this season. Sophomore Kevin Krieger is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. Sophomore Cameron Kirksey is posting 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds a game as well.

As a team, MSU is shooting 50.1% from the field this season, including a 42.7% showing from long range. MSU is also hauling in 33.4 rebounds per game and has dished out 85 assists.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 356-145 (.710).

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-3 record, including a 1-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Warriors fell to both Sioux Falls (80-64) and Southwest Minnesota State (79-76).

As a unit, WSU is posting 80.7 points and 33.7 rebounds per game this season. The Warriors are also shooting 46.5% from the field, including a 42.3% showing from long range.

Corey Jeffs leads the Winona State offense with 14.1 points per game this season. Connor Flack is posting 10.9 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game as well.

Todd Eisner is in his third season as head coach of the Winona State men's basketball team. He owns a 31-32 record.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 6-5 record, including a 0-3 NSIC record. UIU has lost its last three games, including losses at Southwest Minnesota State (93-86) and Sioux Falls (90-78) last weekend.

Carson Parker is boasting 17.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season. Munachiso Okonkwo is recording 8.5 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds a game this season as well.

As a team, Upper Iowa is averaging 78.3 points and 33.8 rebounds per game this season. The Peacocks are also shooting 46.2% from the field.

The Peacocks are coached by Brooks McKowen, who is in his fifth season as head coach at Upper Iowa. He owns a 77-60 record.