MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will wrap up its three-game homestand this Tuesday as it hosts North Central University at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 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 1,343-892 (.600) in 2,235 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 159-62 (.719) 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 North Central: This will be the first meeting between Minnesota State and North Central University.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters its game with North Central the owner of a 7-3 record, including a 4-1 record in NSIC action. Last weekend at Taylor Center, the Mavericks bested Winona State 78-62, before falling to Upper Iowa 80-74

So far this season, the Mavericks have averaged 81.3 points and 39.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.1% from the field. MSU has also passed out 135 assists and forced 95 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 13 points a game this season, including junior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging a team-best 17.0 points per game, to go along with 5.6 rebounds a game. Senior Carlos Anderson is posting 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while junior Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.1 points and a team-high 9.3 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud is recording 13.9 points and 2.8 assists 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 382-156 (.710).
    
Concerning the Rams: North Central University enters Tuesday's game the owner of a 4-8 record, including a 0-4 record in UMAC action. The Rams have lost their last four games, which includes a pair of losses to St. Scholastica (74-72) and Crown (90-82) last week in Minneapolis.
 
As a team, NSU is averaging 68.6 points and 36.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 40.3% from the field. The Rams have passed out 145 assists and have forced 151 turnovers.

Micah Filer leads the Rams with 18.4 points per game this season. Jared High is averaging 13.4 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds a game as well.

The Rams are coached by Jon High, who is in his 11th season at North Central.