MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season on the road this weekend as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday, at 7:30 p.m., before squaring off with Sioux Falls on Saturday, at 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 1,340-891 (.600) in 2,231 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 156-61 (.718) 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 Southwest Minnesota State: Friday's game between the Mavericks and the Mustangs marks their 60th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 42-17. Last season, the Mavericks went 2-1 against the Mustangs, including a 74-70 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, Minnesota State averaged 72.0 points and 35.0 rebounds per game last season against Southwest Minnesota State, while shooting 42.5% from the field. MSU also connected on 54-of-67 (.806) attempts from the free throw line.

Junior Kevin Krieger averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds a game last season against the Mustangs, while senior Carlos Anderson tallied 7.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-11 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 7-6 record in Marshall.

Against Sioux Falls: Saturday's road encounter between the Mavericks and the Cougars will be their 20th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 16-3. The Mavericks and Cougars split the season series a year ago, with each team winning its game at home.

As a team, MSU shot 51.4% from the field against USF last season as it averaged 90.0 points and 37.0 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also shot 51.4% from three point land as they connected on 19-of-37 shots from behind the arc.

Junior Kevin Krieger tallied 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against USF last season, while junior Cameron Kirksey tallied 7.0 points and 12.0 rebounds a game.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 13-2 record against the Cougars, including a 5-2 record at Sioux Falls.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-2 record, including a 1-0 NSIC record, after posting a 91-72 win over Concordia-St. Paul last weekend at Taylor Center.

So far this season, the Mavericks have averaged 83.2 points and 40.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.8% from the field. MSU has also passed out 86 helpers and forced 56 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are boasting more than 11 points a game this season, including junior Kevin Krieger, who has tallied 16.8 points and a team-best 9.5 rebounds a game. Junior Cameron Kirksey has notched 19.0 points per game, while senior Carlos Anderson has tallied 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud is averaging 11.3 points per game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 379-155 (.709).
    
Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-2 record, including a 0-1 conference record. Last weekend, SMSU dropped a 94-72 decision to Sioux Falls at home.
 
As a team, SMSU is averaging 88.3 points and 35.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 52.4% from the field. The Mustangs are also shooting 49.1% from behind the arc and have recorded 58 steals. 

Six Mustangs are averaging 10 points or more a game this season, including Ryan Bruggeman, who is averaging 21.3 points and 7.1 assists a game. Taylor Schafer and Nick Dufault are averaging 12.9 points per game as well.

Brad Bigler is in his 10th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 166-112 (.593) record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 6-1 record, including a 1-0 NSIC record. Last weekend, USF defeated Southwest Minnesota State 94-72 on the road.

As a team, USF is averaging 80.6 points and 43.7 rebounds a game, while limiting its opponents to 66.0 points and 32.7 rebounds per game. The Cougars are shooting 44.9% from the field, including a 36.1% showing from long range.

A pair of Cougars are averaging more than 20 points a game this season, including Trevon Evans, who leads the team with 21.7 points a game. Drew Guebert has tallied 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as well.

Chris Johnson is in his 11th season as head coach at Sioux Falls. He owns a 182-133 (.577) record.