MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens the home portion of its schedule Saturday evening as it takes on the St. Cloud State Huskies in a nonconference game at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2019-20 season marks the 98th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,354-903 (.599) in 2,257 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 169-69 (.710) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns an 18-15 record (.545) in NCAA Tournament play, including a 91-62 loss to Northwest Missouri State in 2019.

Against the Huskies: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks their 180th all-time meeting, with SCSU leading the series with a 92-87 record. Last season, the Mavericks and Huskies split the season series, with both teams winning on the road in overtime. MSU defeated SCSU 80-77 in their first meeting, before SCSU balanced the season series with a 77-74 win in their second encounter.

Senior Cameron Kirksey averaged 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game against the Huskies last season, while senior Kevin Krieger tallied 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Junior Jamal Nixon added 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game as well.

Trevon Marshall averaged 6.5 points and 1.5 rebounds a game for the Huskies, while Diamond Onwuka notched 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as well.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-18 record against St. Cloud State, including an 11-8 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 0-2 record on the season. Last weekend, the Mavericks fell to both Washburn (76-71 OT) and Missouri Southern State (74-69).

As a team, MSU has averaged 70.0 points and 47.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 38.0% from the field. The Mavericks have passed out 26 assists and have recorded 14 blocks.

Senior Cameron Kirksey is pacing the Maverick offense with 19.5 points per game, while senior Kevin Krieger has added 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Freshman Corvon Seales has posted 13.0 points per game as well, while sophomore Kelby Kramer has averaged 4.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.0 blocks a game this season.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 19th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 393-167 (.701).
    
Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State owns a 0-2 record this season, which includes a pair of losses to Ouachita Baptist (56-51) and Harding (61-60) last weekend.
 
As a team, SCSU has averaged 55.5 points and 34.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.6% from the field. The Huskies are also shooting just 21.2% from long range and have recorded 14 steals. They have also committed 34 turnovers, while only forcing 28.

Trevon Marshall leads the SCSU offense with an average of 12.5 points and 3.0 assists a game. Andrija Blatancic is posting 12.0 points and 7.0 rebounds a game as well, while Anthony Roberts has tallied 10.0 points per game.

St. Cloud State is coached by Matt Reimer who is in his fifth season with the Huskies. He owns a 90-62 record.