MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears in a pair of games this week before heading into winter break. The Mavericks will travel to St. Paul for a 7:30 p.m., tip-off on Wednesday, before wrapping up the week with a 4:00 p.m., tip-off at Taylor Center on Saturday.
Minnesota State History: The 2019-20 season marks the 98th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,357-908 (.599) in 2,265 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 170-72 (.702) 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 Golden Bears: The games this week between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul will be their 34th and 35th all-time meetings, with MSU leading the series 26-7. The Mavericks have won their last 10 encounters with the Golden Bears, including a 91-72 home win and a 92-60 road win last season.
Senior
Cameron Kirksey averaged 16.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game against CSP last season, while junior
Frankie Mack tallied 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Senior
Kevin Krieger tallied 12 rebounds in his one outing against the Golden Bears also.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 25-5 record against Concordia-St. Paul. He is 11-3 against the Golden Bears on the road and 13-2 at Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 3-7 record, including a 1-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU fell to Winona State (78-62) and Upper Iowa (92-88 OT) on the road.
As a team, MSU has averaged 78.9 points and 39.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field. The Mavericks have passed out 132 assists and have recorded 60 blocks.
Three Mavericks are averaging more than 11 points per game this season, including senior
Cameron Kirksey, who is posting 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Freshman
Ryland Holt has averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as well, while senior
Kevin Krieger has posted 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Sophomore
Kelby Kramer is averaging 8.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks a game also.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 19th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 396-172 (.697).
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the week the owner of a 3-5 record, including a 1-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, CSP fell to both Upper Iowa (104-91) and Winona State (79-77) on the road.
As a team, CSP is averaging 76.0 points and 38.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.6% from three point range. The Golden Bears have passed out 102 assists, but have also committed 122 turnovers.
Jordan Coblin is averaging a team-best 19.0 points a game this season, to go along with 6.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists a game. Noah Kannegiesser is averaging 13.4 points and 3.4 rebounds a game, and Cody Carlson is averaging 13.3 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds a contest.
Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Interim Head Coach Eric Johnson. He owns a 3-5 record with the Golden Bears.
