MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will conclude its regular season schedule on the road this weekend as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday and Sioux Falls on Saturday. Game times are set for 8:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., respectively.
Minnesota State History: The 2017-18 season marks the 96th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,332-885 (.600) in 2,217 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 155-59 (.724) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. MSU owns a 16-13 record (.551) in NCAA Tournament play, including an 85-81 win over MSU Moorhead and an 82-60 loss to Northwest Missouri State in the most recent trip to the tournament.
Against the Mustangs: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 58th meeting between them, with the Mavericks owning a 41-16 record against the Mustangs. Earlier this season, MSU defeated SMSU 72-70 at Taylor Center.
Senior
Chris Kendrix posted a team-leading 20 points against the Mustangs, while senior
Charlie Brown tallied 19 points. Junior
Carlos Anderson added 14 points off the bench as well. As a team, MSU connected on 19-of-24 (.792) shots from the free throw line.
Ryan Bruggeman led all scorers with 21 points and six assists, while Carter Kirk notched a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, SMSU shot 42.9% from the field, to go along with a 9-of-9 showing from the line.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 20-10 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 7-5 record at SMSU.
Against the Cougars: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 19th all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 16-2 advantage in the series. The Mavericks have won their last 13 games against the Cougars, including a 99-82 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.
Four Mavericks netted at least 10 points in their win against USF, including sophomore
Kevin Krieger who tallied a team-best 24 points. Senior
Charlie Brown added 17 points and nine assists, while senior
Chris Kendrix posted 19 points and four rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 56.1% from the field, including a 13-of-20 (.650) showing from three point range.
Drew Guebert led the Cougar offense with 28 points and six rebounds, while Trevon Evans added 24 points and six assists. As a team, USF shot 54.2% from the field.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 13-1 record against the Cougars, including a 5-1 record in Sioux Falls.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 20-6 overall record, including a 16-4 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU defeated Upper Iowa 99-92 before falling to Winona State 90-78.
If the Mavericks win one of their two games this weekend, they will win at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championship. MSU will also claimed the south division's No. 1 seed for the NSIC Tournament.
Five Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points per game this season, including senior
Charlie Brown, who leads the Maverick offense with 16.2 points and 3.8 assists per game this season. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is averaging 16.1 points per game while shooting 55.6% from downtown. Senior
Chris Kendrix is boasting 12.3 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds a game as well.
As a unit, Minnesota State is shooting 48.3% from the field this season, including a 43.4% performance from long range which ranks third in NCAA Division II. The Mavericks have also passed out 337 assists and have forced 304 turnovers.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 371-149 (.713).
Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 19-7 record, including a 15-5 NSIC record. SMSU has won its last five games, including wins over Wayne State (75-60) and Augustana (81-77) at home last weekend.
As a team, Southwest Minnesota State is shooting 48.9% from the field and 40.3% from long range. The Mustangs have also passed out 376 assists and have forced 310 turnovers.
Ryan Bruggeman leads the Mustangs with an average of 16.4 points and 5.7 assist per game. Carter Kirk is averaging 14.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as well.
Brad Bigler is in his ninth season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State. He owns a 155-108 overall record.
Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend with a 17-9 record, including a 12-8 conference. Last weekend, USF defeated Augustana 88-86 before falling to Wayne State 78-64.
The Cougars are averaging 79.3 points and 37.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field. USF has also passed out 350 assists, but has committed 305 turnovers.
Trevon Evans is averaging 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game this season. Drew Guebert is posting 19.8 points and a team-best 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Cougars are coach by Chris Johnson, who is in his 10th season at USF. He owns a 173-131 record at Sioux Falls.
