MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team received the eighth seed for the NCAA Central Region Tournament and will now take on Northwest Missouri State in the first round on Saturday in Maryville, Mo. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 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 1,334-888 (.600) in 2,222 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 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 in 2016.

Against the Bearcats: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northwest Missouri State marks their sixth all-time meeting with the Bearcats leading the all-time series 3-2. Northwest Missouri State has won the last three meetings against the Mavericks, including an 82-60 win in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

Junior Cole Harper tallied eight points and six rebounds against the Bearcats back in 2016. As a team, MSU shot 38% from the field. The Mavericks also held a 33-20 advantage in rebounds.

Justin Pitts recorded a game-high 38 points and five assists against Minnesota State, while Brett Dougherty tallied eight points and three rebounds. As a team, Northwest Missouri State shot 65.4% from the field against the Mavericks.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 0-3 record against the Bearcats.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State  enters the NCAA Tournament the owner of a 22-9 record, including a 2-1 record in the NSIC Tournament last week. The Mavericks defeated MSU Moorhead (82-79) and Minot State (87-79 OT), before falling to Northern State 79-78 in the third round.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 11 points per game this season, including senior Charlie Brown who leads the MSU offense with 16.6 points and 3.9 assists a game this season. Sophomore Kevin Krieger is boasting 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds a game and senior Chris Kendrix is averaging 12.4 points and a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game.

As a unit, the Mavericks are shooting 47.7% from the field this season and are averaging 82.9 points and 36.2 rebounds a game. MSU is also shooting 42.4% 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 373-152 (.710).

NCAA Division II Team Rankings (Top-50)
3pt Field Goal % | 2nd/42.4%
Turnovers Per Game | 18th/10.4
Free Throw % | 29th/76.2%
Fewest Turnovers | 30th/323
Scoring Offense | 43rd/82.9 ppg
Free Throws Made | 49th/473
    
Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State enters the NCAA Tournament with a 27-3 record. Last weekend, the Bearcats won the MIAA Tournament with victories against Pittsburg State (79-73), Central Oklahoma (65-57) and Washburn (80-74).

Four Bearcats are averaging more than 10 points per game this season, including Justin Pitts who leads the Northwest Missouri State offense with 18.9 points and 5.0 assists per game. Chris-Ebou Ndow is averaging 13.5 points and a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game and Joey Witthus is averaging 11.7 points per game.

As a team, the Bearcats are averaging 75.6 points and 30.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.9% from the field. NWMSU has also passed out 385 assists and has forced 398 turnovers.

The Bearcats are coached by Ben McCollum, who is in his ninth season as head coach at Northwest Missouri State. He owns a 203-74 record.

NCAA Division II Team Rankings (Top-50)
Scoring Defense | 1st/59.8 ppg
Turnovers Per Game | 1st/8.7
Fewest Turnovers | 2nd/261
Field Goal % | 4th/50.9%
Scoring Margin | 6th/15.8 points
Turnover Margin | 7th/4.6
3pt Field Goal % | 11th/40.5%
Assist/Turnover Ratio | 16th/1.48
3pt Field Goal % Defense | 24th/32.3%
3pt Field Goals Made | 28th/293
3pt Field Goals Per Game | 35th/9.8