MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will wrap up its four-game road trip this weekend as it travels to the "Peace Garden State" to take on Minot State on Friday and the University of Mary 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 1,324-882 (.600) in 2,206 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 147-56 (.724) 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 Beavers: Friday's game between the Mavericks and Minot State will be their sixth all-time meeting, with MSU winning all five of their previous encounters. Last season, The Mavericks defeated 81-66 at Taylor Center. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 5-0 record against the Beavers, including a 2-0 record on the road.

Sophomore Cameron Kirksey tallied 11 points and eight rebounds against the Beavers last season, while junior Cole Harper posted 10 points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 55.4% from the field and passed out 17 assists. The Mavericks also held a 40-29 advantage in rebounds 

For the Beavers, Tyler Rudolph recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Nathaniel Moore notched 12 points and five rebounds. As a unit, MISU shot 41.3% from the field, including a 9-of-20 (.450) showing from downtown.  

Against the Marauders: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Marauders will be their 14th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 10-3 record. Last season the Mavericks split its two games against U-Mary. The Marauders defeated MSU 75-61 during the regular season, before MSU bested U-Mary 87-78 in the first round of the NSIC Tournament. Both games were played in Taylor Center. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 10-3 record against the Marauders, including a 4-1 road record.

Sophomore Cameron Kirksey averaged 10 points and five rebounds against the Marauders last season, while senior Charlie Brown posted 6.5 points a game. As a team, MSU shot 43.5% against U-Mary last season. Minnesota State also passed out 29 assists and forced 16 turnovers.

Trevor Zacher notched eight points and 4.5 rebounds a game against the Mavericks last season. As a team U-Mary shot 48.8% from the field against MSU and it held a 37-33 advantage in rebounds.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 12-3 record this season, including an 8-1 NSIC record after winning a pair of road games last weekend against Augustana (94-91 OT) and Wayne State (75-74). MSU has now won nine of its last 10 games.

Sophomore Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds a game this season. Senior Charlie Brown is posting 15.5 points and 3.2 assists a game as well.

As a team, MSU is shooting 48.3% from the field this season, including a 40.8% showing from long range. MSU is also hauling in 36.6 rebounds per game and has dished out 180 assists.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 363-146 (.713).

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend with a 14-2 record, including an 8-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, MISU defeated MSU Moorhead 87-62, before falling to Northern State 75-56 on the road.

As a team, MISU is averaging 79.5 points and 36.1 rebounds a game this season, while shooting 49.2% from the field. The Beavers are also averaging 14.9 assists a game.

Tyler Rudolph leads Minot State with an average of 22.1 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. David Akibo is averaging 11.5 points and 7.1 rebounds a game as well.

Minot State is coached by Matt Murken, who is in his sixth season at Minot State. He owns a 75-82 record.

Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary enters the weekend the owner of a 3-11 overall record, including a 1-9 NSIC record. Last weekend, U-Mary fell to Northern State 71-55, before defeating MSU Moorhead 77-65 on the road.

Keith Hunter is averaging 13.5 points and 3.7 rebounds this season. Matthew Kreklow is averaging 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds a game as well.
As a team, U-Mary is averaging 71.9 points and 29.4 rebounds a game this season, while shooting 45.3% from the field. The Marauders have also forced 171 turnovers.

The Marauders are coached by Joe Kittell, who is in his third season at Minot State. He owns a 34-40 record.