MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens the NSIC portion of its schedule this Saturday as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 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 1,339-891 (.600) in 2,230 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 Concordia-St. Paul: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears marks their 32nd meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 24-7. MSU has won its last eight meetings with CSP, including a pair of wins last season (93-68 & 95-66).
As a team, Minnesota State averaged 94 points and 38 rebounds a game last season against Concordia-St. Paul, while shooting 48.9% from the field and 50% from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 41 assists and forced 36 turnovers in their two games.
Junior
Kevin Krieger averaged 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against CSP last season, while senior
Carlos Anderson and junior
Cameron Kirksey each added 13.0 points per game.
Head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 23-5 record against the Golden Bears, including a 12-2 record at Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-2 record after posting a 75-61 win over Tampa and a 78-67 loss to Eckerd College.
Through five games this season, the Mavericks have averaged 81.6 points and 39.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.5% from the field. MSU has also passed out 71 assists and has forced 47 turnovers.
Three Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points a game this season. Junior
Cameron Kirksey is averaging 19.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season, while junior
Kevin Krieger has tallied 18.8 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds a game. Senior
Carlos Anderson has averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game as well.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 378-155 (.709).
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 4-1 record. Last weekend, CSP defeated Georgian Court 85-69, before falling to Florida Tech 95-89.
As a unit, CSP is averaging 92.6 points and 39.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.8% from the field. The Golden Bears are also shooting 44.4% from the field and have passed out 94 assists.
Bryndan Matthews is leading the CSP offense this season with 24.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this season. Isaiah McKay has tallied 23.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as well.
Joey James is in his fifth season as head coach at Concordia-St. Paul. He owns a 48-77 (.384) record.
