MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will head north this Saturday as for a nonconference game against #13 St. Cloud State at Hallenbeck Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,337-890 (.600) in 2,227 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 155-61 (.717) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns an 18-14 record (.562) in NCAA Tournament play, including its 60-50 win over Northwest Missouri State, a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State and a 90-83 loss to Northern State last season.

Against St. Cloud State: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Huskies marks their 178th all-time meeting, with SCSU leading the series 91-86. SCSU won both meetings against MSU last season, including an 80-71 win at Hallenbeck Hall in their most recent outing.

Both senior Carlos Anderson and junior Kevin Krieger recorded 11 points against the Huskies during the last encounter. As a team, Minnesota State shot 43.5% from the field and scored 11 points off of 10 SCSU turnovers.

Gage Davis posted a game-high 33 points for the Huskies, to go along with eight rebounds, while Sean Smith notched a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, while blocking seven shots. As a team, SCSU shot 56% from the field and went 18-of-24 (.750) from the free throw line.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-17 record against the Huskies, including a 6-9 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-1 record, which includes an 88-85 win over Lindenwood and a 100-98 overtime loss to Missouri Southern State.

Through two games this season, the Mavericks are averaging  93.0 points and 39.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.4% from the field. MSU has also passed out 32 assists and is shooting 42.6% from behind the arc.

Senior Carlos Anderson is averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds a game this season. Junior Kevin Krieger is averaging 16.5 points and a team-best 10.5 rebounds per game, while junior Cameron Kirksey has tallied 16.0 points and 4.5 rebounds a game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 376-154 (.709).
    
Concerning St. Cloud State: St. Cloud State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-0 record, including a 121-81 win over Crown College  in its most recent outing.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 97.7 points and 44.0 rebounds per game this season. The Huskies are also shooting 53.9 % from the field and 39.7% from three point land, while enjoying a +7.7 rebound margin. 

Gage Davis is averaging 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season, with Sean Smith following right behind with 15.0 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. Trevon Marshall is averaging 14.7 points and 4.3 assists a game as well.

St. Cloud State is coached by Matt Reimer who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Huskies. He owns a 77-51 record.