MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State, the Minnesota State men's basketball team has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and will take on the #6 Northern State Wolves on Tuesday in Maryville, Mo. 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 1,336-888 (.600) in 2,224 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 are marking their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this weekend. MSU owns an 18-13 record (.580) in NCAA Tournament play, including its 60-50 win over Northwest Missouri State and a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State in the first two rounds this season.
Against the Wolves: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 26th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 16-9. NSU won both games against the Mavericks earlier this season, including an 87-84 win at Taylor Center and a 79-78 win in the third round of the NSIC Tournament.
Sophomore
Kevin Krieger has averaged a team-best 20.5 points a game against Northern State this season, while senior
Charlie Brown has tallied 17.5 points and 3.5 assists a game. Senior
Chris Kendrix has posted 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game against the Wolves as well. As a unit, the Mavericks have shot 48.1% from the field this season against NSU, including a 37.8% showing from long range. MSU has also tallied 27 assists and has forced 24 turnovers against Northern State.
Logan Doyle has led the Wolves against the Mavericks with 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 60% from the field. Ian Smith has posted 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game against the Mavericks as well. As a team, Northern State has shot 49.6% from the field against the Mavericks and has connected on 42-of-55 (.764) attempts from the free throw line.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-5 record against the Wolves, including a 2-1 record at neutral sites.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the third round of the NCAA Tournament the owner of a 24-9 record, including a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State in its most recent outing.
Four Mavericks are averaging more than 11 points per game this season, including senior
Charlie Brown who leads the MSU offense with 16.8 points and 3.9 assists a game this season. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger is boasting 15.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a game and senior
Chris Kendrix is averaging 12.3 points and a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game.
As a unit, the Mavericks are shooting 47.8% from the field this season and are averaging 81.9 points and 36.1 rebounds a game. MSU is also shooting 42.5% from three point range.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 375-152 (.711).
Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the third round of the NCAA Tournament with a 33-3 record, including a 68-61 win over St. Cloud State in its most recent outing. NSU has won its last 12 games.
A total of five Wolves are averaging more than 10 points per game this season, including DJ Pollard, who leads NSU with 12.8 points per game. Logan Doyle is averaging 11.9 points and a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game and Ian Smith is posting 11.8 points and 4.3 assists a game.
As a team, Northern State is averaging 79.9 points and 36.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 51.0% from the field. The Wolves have also tallied 148 blocks and have passed out 572 assists.
The Wolves are coached by Paul Sather, who is in his eight season as head coach at Northern State. He owns a 159-81 record at NSU.
