MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team earned the fourth seed in the NSIC south division and will now host the University of Mary in the opening round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season marks the 95th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,310-878 (.598) in 2,188 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 last season. 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.

NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament: The Mavericks host the University of Mary in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Wednesday. The final three rounds of the NSIC Tournament will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Should MSU defeat U-Mary in the opening round, it will take on the winner of the game between MSU Moorhead and Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

MSU History at NSIC Tournament: Minnesota State owns a 13-5 record in the NSIC Tournament since joining the league during the 2008-09 season. MSU has won at least one game during six trips to the tournament, including a pair of NSIC Tournament Championships in 2013 and 2014.

About Our Last Outings: The Mavericks went 1-1 this past weekend at Taylor Center as they fell to Southwest Minnesota State 67-64, before defeating Sioux Falls 79-67. The Mavericks finished their regular season with a 19-9 overall record and a 14-8 NSIC record.

Against the Mustangs, senior Jon Fuqua recorded a game-high 20 points to go along with a team-high five rebounds. Junior Charlie Brown added 12 points off the bench as well.

As a unit, the Mavericks shot 40.7% from the field against SMSU. MSU also connected on 12-of-14 (.857) opportunities from the free throw line and forced nine Mustang turnovers.

Against the Cougars, senior Aarias Austin led the Mavericks with 22 points. Fuqua added 15 points and six rebounds as well.

As a unit, Minnesota State shot 56.3% from the field against the Cougars, including an 11-of-19 (.579) performance from behind the arc. 

Against the Marauders: Wednesday's game between Minnesota State and the University of Mary marks their 13th all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 9-3 series advantage. U-Mary has won the last two meetings against the Mavericks, including a 75-61 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

Senior Jon Fuqua recorded 24 points and seven rebounds against the Marauders earlier this season, while senior Aarias Austin tallied 11 points and four assists.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-3 overall record against U-Mary, including a 5-1 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 19-9 overall record, including a 14-8 NSIC record. MSU has won six of its last eight games, including a 79-67 win in its most recent outing against Sioux Falls.

As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 78.0 points and 35.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.0% from the field. MSU has also tallied 105 blocks and has passed out 358 assists.

Senior Jon Fuqua is averaging a team-leading 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season, with Joey Witthus following right behind with 14.4 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Senior Aarias Austin is adding 11.1 points and 2.8 assists per game as well.

Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 349-142 (.710) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary enters the week the owner of a 12-16 overall record, including a 10-12 NSIC record. U-Mary has won four of its last six games, but fell to Minnesota Crookston 91-80 in its most recent outing.
 
As a team, the Marauders are averaging 76.4 points and 31.6 rebounds a game this season. U-Mary is also shooting 47.4% from the field and is passing out 12.9 assists a game.  

Damonta Henry leads U-Mary with an average of 16.6 points per game. Bryan Jefferson is posting 16.3 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, with Rickey Suggs posting 11.4 points per game as well.

The Marauders are coached by Joe Kittell, who is in his second season at U-Mary. He owns a 29-24 overall record.