MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will begin play in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Wednesday as it hosts the MSU Moorhead at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota State History: The 2017-18 season marks the 96th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,332-887 (.600) in 2,219 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 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.
Regional Rankings: Minnesota State was ranked eighth in the first edition of the NCAA Central Region Rankings back on Feb. 14. The top-eight teams in the NCAA.
The NSIC, the Great American Conference (GAC) and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) make up the 42-team NCAA Central Region again this year. The top eight teams in the region advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament on March 10-11, 13. Automatic bids are granted to the winners of the NSIC, GAC and MIAA postseason tournaments, with the remaining five spots being awarded on an at-large basis.
Against the Dragons: Wednesday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead will be their 96th all-time meeting. The Mavericks own a 63-32 record against the Dragons, including an 81-58 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.
Senior
Charlie Brown tallied a game-high 19 points, while senior
Chris Kendrix tallied 10 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger tallied 13 points as well, and junior Carlos Anderson tallied 12 point, while shooting 5-of-6 from the field. As a team, MSU shot 33-of-71 (.465) from the field, including a 7-of-15 (.467) performance from downtown. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 41-33 advantage in rebounds.
Johnny Beeninga and Briton Bussman led the Dragon offense with 11 points each, while Addison Park tallied nine points and seven rebounds. As a team MSU Moorhead shot 38.5% from the field and 13-of-16 (.813) from the free throw line.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 12-5 record against the Dragons, including a 7-1 record at Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished the regular season with a 20-8 record, including a 16-6 NSIC record and received the south division's #2 seed for the NSIC Tournament. Last weekend the Mavericks fell to Southwest Minnesota State 82-70 and Sioux Falls 88-81 on the road.
Four Mavericks are averaging more than 11 points per game this season, including senior
Charlie Brown who is averaging a team-best 16.8 points and 3.8 assists per game this season. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is averaging 16.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and senior
Chris Kendrix is posting 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.
As a unit, Minnesota State is shooting 47.6% from the field this season, including a 42.9% performance from long range which ranks third in NCAA Division II. The Mavericks have also passed out 358 assists and have forced 322 turnovers.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 371-151 (.710).
Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the week the owner of a 7-21 record, including a 5-17 NSIC record. The Dragons received the north division's #7 seed. Last weekend, MSU Moorhead fell to St. Cloud State 88-78, before defeating Minnesota Duluth 71-67.
The Dragons are averaging 74.8 points and 32.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.7% from the field. MSU Moorhead has also passed out 277 assists and has committed 278 turnovers.
Tanner Kretchman leads the Dragon offense with 16.1 points and 3.3 assists a game. Johnny Beeninga is averaging 14.6 points a game and Travaun Coad is posting 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
The Dragons are coached by Chad Walthall who is in his eighth season. He owns a 172-78 record.
