MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens 2018 with a four-game road trip beginning this weekend as it takes on Augustana on Friday and Wayne State 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 1,322-882 (.599) in 2,204 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 145-56 (.721) 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 Vikings: Friday's encounter between the Mavericks and the Vikings marks their 116th all-time meeting with Minnesota State controlling the all-time series with a 63-52 record. The Mavericks won their earlier meeting this season by the score of 90-79 at Taylor Center. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 22-15 record against Augie, including an 8-8 record on the road.

Sophomore Kevin Krieger led the Maverick offense with a career-high 29 points against the Vikings earlier this season, while sophomore Cameron Kirksey added 17 points and four rebounds. Senior Charlie Brown notched 14 points and four assists as well. As a team, MSU shot 54.7% from the field, including an 11-of-23 (.478) showing from three. The Mavericks also connected on 21-of-27 (.778) attempts from the line.

Jordan Spencer led AU with 29 points and three assists, while Marcus Ausmus tallied nine points and seven rebounds. As a team, Augie shot 50% from the field, to go along with 7-of-21 (.333) performance from three point range. The Vikings passed out 10 assists, but also committed 17 turnovers as well.

Against the Wildcats: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and Wayne State marks their 27th all-time meeting with MSU owning a 23-3 series advantage. MSU has won its last 11 games against WSC, including an 86-58 win at Taylor Center earlier this season. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-1 record against the Wildcats, including an 8-0 record on the road.

Senior Charlie Brown scored a season-high 25 points and passed out five assists, while sophomore Kevin Krieger added 14 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Cameron Kirksey posted 13 points and eight rebounds as well. As a unit, MSU shot 52.5% from the field, including a 12-of-18 (.667) performance from long range.

Both Jordan Cornelius and Tony Bonner led the Wildcat offense with nine points and four rebounds. As a team, WSC shot just 39.7% from the field and connected on just 1-of-12 (.083) attempts from three.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 10-3 record this season, including a 6-1 NSIC record after splitting its weekend series against MSU Moorhead (W, 81-58) and #13 Northern State (L, 87-84).

Senior Charlie Brown leads the MSU offense this season with an average of 16.1 points and 3.2 assists per game. Sophomore Kevin Krieger is posting 15.3 points and 5.8 rebounds a game as well.

As a team, MSU is shooting 49.0% from the field this season, including a 40.4% showing from long range. MSU is also hauling in 35.8 rebounds per game and has dished out 155 assists.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 361-146 (.712).

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 9-5 record, including a 4-4 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Vikings defeated Southwest Minnesota State 89-78, before falling to Sioux Falls 70-61.

As a team, AU is averaging 83.9 points and 36.6 rebounds a game this season. The Vikings are also shooting 46.8% from the field and 41.6% from long range.

Jordan Spencer leads the Augie offense with 15.5 points and 7.7 assists a game. John Warren is posting 14.7 points and 4.6 rebounds a game as well.

Augustana is coached by Tom Billeter, who is in his 15th season with the Vikings. He owns a 280-157 record at Augustana.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 9-7 overall record, including a 4-4 NSIC record. WSC defeated Sioux Falls 78-66, before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 86-65 last weekend.

Kendall Jacks leads the Wayne State offense with an average of 14.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Trevin Jospeh is boasting 11.6 points per game as well.

As a team, WSC is averaging 76.7 points and 33.2 rebounds per game. The Wildcats are shooting 47.9% from the field this season and have forced 221 turnovers.

Jeff Kaminsky is in his second season as head coach of the Wayne State Wildcats. He owns a 19-26 record.