MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will travel to St. Petersburg Fla., to take part in the two-day Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic. The Mavericks will square off with the Tampa Spartans on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (CST), before taking on the Eckerd College Tritons on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (CST).

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,338-890 (.600) in 2,228 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 Tampa: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Tampa marks their third all-time meeting, with each team picking up a win in the first two encounters.

In their most recent meeting during the 2014-15 season, the Mavericks bested the Spartans 73-72. Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 1-0 record against Tampa.

Against Eckerd College: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Triton will be their second all-time meeting, with MSU winning the previous meeting 86-70 during the 2014-15 season.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-1 record, including its 80-77 overtime victory at St. Cloud State last weekend. MSU has gone into overtime in its last two games and owns a 1-1 record.

Through three games this season, the Mavericks have averaged 88.7 points and 40.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.9% from the field. MSU has also passed out 46 assists and has forced 26 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including juniors Cameron Kirksey and Kevin Krieger who are each netting 19.0 points per game. Krieger is also leading the team in rebounds with 11.7 a game. Senior Carlos Anderson is boasting 17.0 points and 5.0 rebounds a game, and Juwan McCloud is averaging 10.3 points and a team-best 4.0 assists per game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 377-154 (.709).
    
Concerning Tampa: The University of Tampa Spartans enter the weekend the owners of a 3-1 record, including an 81-63 win over #9 West Florida and a 72-69 loss to Auburn-Montgomery last weekend. None of UT's opponents have scored more than 69 points in their four games this season.

As a team, UT is averaging 69.0 points and 36.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.7% from the field. Opponents have averaged 63.0 points and 32.0 rebounds per game this season and have boasted a 43.8 shooting percentage from behind the arc.

Anthony Gamble is averaging 14.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season and is leading the Spartans with 10 three pointers made. Vincent Biffle has tallied 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season and Cedric Belemene has posted 8.5 points and a team-best 9.5 rebounds a game.

Richard Schmidt is in his 35th as head coach of the Spartans. He owns a 670-355 record.

Concerning the Tritons: Eckerd College enters the weekend the owner of a 4-0 record, including a 91-76 win over the University of Maine at Fort Kent in its most recent outing.

As a team, Eckerd has averaged 81.8 points and 42.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.3% from the field. The Tritons have also shot 35.6% from three point land and have forced more than 18 turnovers a game.

Drushaun McLaurn is averaging 19.0 points and 9.3 rebounds a game this season. Myron Hagins is averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds a game as well. Marco Behori Sebastian 7.0 rebounds a game and has passed out a team-high 17 assists.

Eckerd College is coached by Tom Ryan who is in his 23rd season as head coach.