MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens its 2018-19 season at Taylor Center this weekend as it hosts the two-day NSIC/MIAA Crossover beginning on Friday. The Mavericks will open the weekend with a 5:00 p.m., contest against Lindenwood, before finishing the weekend with a Saturday game against Missouri Southern State at 3:00 p.m. 

NSIC/MIAA Crossover Schedule

Friday
St. Cloud State vs. Missouri Southern State - 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota State vs. Lindenwood - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday
St. Cloud State vs. Lindenwood - 1:00 p.m.
Minnesota State vs. Missouri Southern State - 3:00 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 1,336-889 (.600) in 2,225 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 Lindenwood: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Lindenwood will be their second all-time meeting. The Mavericks won their first meeting 85-77 at the CCA Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif., during the 2013-14 season.

Against Missouri Southern State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Missouri Southern State will be their fourth all-time meeting, with the Mavericks owning a 2-1 record against the Lions. Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Lions 91-89 in overtime in Pittsburg, Kan.

Senior Carlos Anderson tallied 20 points, four rebounds and two assists against he Lions, while junior Kevin Krieger notched 13 points and three rebounds.

Enis Memic posted 14 points and seven rebounds against the Mavericks last season, while Elyjah Clark posted 11 points and four rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 2-1 record against the Lions.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2017-18 season with a 24-10 record as it advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

MSU will welcome back eight letterwinners from last season's squad including seniors Carlos Anderson and Karson Arrenholz, juniors Carter Asche, Cameron Kirksey and Kevin Krieger, and sophomores Noah Dendinger, Jamal Nixon and Frankie Mack. Redshirt Freshman Jake Guse also returns.

The Mavericks also welcome in six newcomers, including three transfers in senior Dylan Miller, junior Juwan McCloud and sophomore Paris Parham, and three freshmen including Quincy Anderson, Tre Baumgardner and Corvon Seales.

Last season, Krieger averaged 15.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Carlos Anderson posted 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Kirksey averaged 11.4 points and 4.5 rebounds a game, and led the team in blocks with 34.

As a team, the Mavericks averaged 82.0 points and 36.0 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 42.3% from long range. MSU also passed out 431 assists and forced 376 turnovers.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 375-153 (.710).
    
Concerning Lindenwood: Lindenwood enters the weekend the owner of a 2-1 record, including a 94-81 win over Embry-Riddle in its most recent outing.

Four Lions are averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including Chris King who is posting 16.3 points a game, while shooting 63.2% from three point land. Brad Newman has tallied 14.7 points and 4.0 rebounds a game this season, while Drew Moore has recorded 11.7 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds a game.

As a team, LU is averaging 77.7 points and 36.7 rebounds per game this season. As a team, the Lions are shooting 46.2% from the field and have passed out 42 assists.

Lance Randall is in his fourth season as head coach at Lindenwood. He owns a 55-40 record.

Concerning Missouri Southern State: Missouri Southern State finished its 2017-18 season with a 20-10 record as it advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lions fell to Southwest Minnesota State 81-77 in the first round.

As a team last season, MSSU averaged 81.4 points and 36.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.5% from the field. Its opponents posted 76.7 points and 32.9 rebounds per game.

Elyjah Clark averaged 16.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 46% from behind the arc. Kinzer Lambert averaged 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as well.

Missouri Southern State is coached Jeff Boschee, who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Lions. He owns a 76-45 record.