MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues play in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Saturday as it takes on the Minot State Beavers at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 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 1,333-887 (.600) in 2,220 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 seventh in the second edition of the NCAA Central Region Rankings on Wednesday. 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 Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their seventh all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 5-1 record. Earlier this season, Minot State defeated Minnesota State in overtime 91-83 at Minot State.
Five Mavericks recorded at least 12 points against the Beavers in their previous encounter, including senior
Charlie Brown who notched a team-best 24 points and three assists. Senior
Chris Kendrix tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore
Cameron Kirksey added 14 points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 41.7% from the field, to go along with a 26-of-33 (.788) showing from the free throw line.
Luis Ricci Maia led all scorers with 25 points and six assists, while Tyler Rudolph tallied a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. David Akibo and Nathaniel Moore each netted 17 points as well. As a team, MISU shot 55.2% from the field and 22-of-26 (.846) from the free throw line.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 5-1 record against the Beavers.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 21-8 record, including an 82-79 win over MSU Moorhead in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The Mavericks now own a 17-6 record in NSIC Tournament games.
Five Mavericks are averaging 10 points or more per game, including senior
Charlie Brown who leads MSU with 16.6 points and 3.8 assists per game. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is averaging 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, and senior
Chris Kendrix is posting 12.4 points and a team-best 7.1 rebounds per game. Both Brown and Krieger received All-NSIC First Team honors
As a unit, Minnesota State is shooting 47.8% from the field this season, including a 42.8% performance from long range which ranks fourth in NCAA Division II. The Mavericks have also passed out 370 assists and have forced 330 turnovers.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 372-151 (.711).
Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 20-9 record. The Beavers have won their last three games, including a 91-71 win over Upper Iowa in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.
The Beavers are averaging 78.4 points and 34.1 rebounds per game this season and are shooting 48.5% from the field. MISU has also passed out 404 assists and has forced 327 turnovers.
Tyler Rudolph, who was named the NSIC Player of the Year, is averaging 20.9 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Luis Ricci Maia, who garnered All-NSIC Second Team honors, is averaging 11.5 points and 6.2 assists a game.
The Beavers are coached by Matt Murken, who is in his sixth season with Minot State. He owns an 81-89 record at MISU.
