MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins a three-game homestand this weekend as it hosts Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday at Taylor Center. Game times are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,342-891 (.600) in 2,233 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 158-61 (.721) 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 Winona State: Friday's encounter between Minnesota State and Winona State will be their 136th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 87-48. Last season, the Mavericks and the Warriors split their season series, with both teams winning on the road. MSU won the first meeting 83-72, while WSU won the second meeting 90-78.

As a team, Minnesota State averaged 80.5 points and 30.5 rebounds per game against Winona State last season, while shooting 52.0% from the field and 45.0% from three point land. The Mavericks also recorded 25 assists and blocked 11 shots. 

Junior Kevin Krieger averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game against the Warriors last season, while senior Carlos Anderson tallied 12.0 points per game, while shooting 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Junior Cameron Kirksey averaged 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game as well.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 15-19 record against Winona State, including a 6-9 record at Taylor Center.

Against Upper Iowa: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Peacocks will be their 26th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 21-4. Minnesota State swept the season series last year, including a 99-92 win at Taylor Center in the most recent encounter.

As a team, Minnesota State averaged 92.5 points and 42.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 50% from the field. The Mavericks also took advantage of the trips to the free throw line as they connected on 40-of-50 (.800) attempts.

Junior Kevin Krieger posted 20.5 points and 11.0 rebounds a game last season against the Peacocks, while junior Cameron Kirksey tallied 16.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-4 record against the Peacocks, including an 11-2 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-2 record, including a 3-0 NSIC record, after recording a pair of road victories against both Southwest Minnesota State (75-67) and Sioux Falls (87-84 OT). MSU has now won five of its last six games.

So far this season, the Mavericks have averaged 82.6 points and 38.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field. MSU has also passed out 113 assists and forced 80 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 12 points a game this season, including senior Carlos Anderson, who is averaging 16.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Junior Kevin Krieger is recording 15.1 points and a team-best 9.3 rebounds per game, while junior Cameron Kirksey is posting 15.0 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud has tallied 12.4 points a game this season and has passed out a team-best 25 assists.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 381-155 (.710).
    
Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-4 record, including a 1-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, WSU lost a pair of home contests to Augustana (88-80) and Wayne State (82-80 OT).
 
As a team, WSU is averaging 77.8 points and 34.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 45.9% from the field. The Warriors have also passed out 116 assists and have recorded 62 steals.

Kevion Taylor is leading the Winona State offense with 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. Caleb Wagner is averaging 10.8 points and 3.7 assists a game as well, while Devin Whitelow has tallied 9.6 points and 4.3 assists a game.

The Warriors are coached by Todd Eisner, who is in his fourth season at Winona State. He owns a 50-43 (.537) record.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 3-5 record, including a 0-3 NSIC record. UIU has lost its last three games, including a pair of losses to Wayne State (83-56) and Augustana (91-76) last weekend.

As a team, the Peacocks are averaging 73.2 points and 31.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.1% from the field. UIU has also passed out 109 assists and has blocked 31 shots.

Jareese Williams is averaging a team-best 14.4 points a game this season, with Joe Smoldt following right behind with 13.0 points a game. Munachiso Okonkwo is posting 9.4 points and a team-leading 5.3 rebounds a game as well. 

The Peacocks are coached by Brooks McKowen, who is in his sixth season. He owns a 91-75 (.548) record.