MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will open the 2020 portion of is schedule at home this weekend as it squares off with Minot State on Friday and the University of Mary on Saturday at Taylor Center. Tip-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2019-20 season marks the 98th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,359-908 (.599) in 2,267 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 172-72 (.704) 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 Beavers: Friday's encounter between Minnesota State and Minot State will be their ninth all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 7-1. MSU has won its last two meetings against the Beavers, including an 82-76 overtime win on the road last season. MSU's last three games against Minot State have gone into overtime.

Senior Cameron Kirksey tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while junior Jamal Nixon notched seven points and four rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 7-1 record against Minot State. He is 3-0 against the Beavers at Taylor Center.

Against the Marauders: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and the University of Mary will be their 16th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 12-3. The Mavericks have won their last three games against U-Mary, including a 90-83 win on the road last season.

Senior Cameron Kirksey notched 19 points and eight rebounds last season against the Marauders, while junior Jamal Nixon netted 15 points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 12-3 record against the University of Mary, including a 6-1 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-7 record, including a 3-3 NSIC record. Recently, the Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 82-58 on the road and 85-68 at Taylor Center.

As a team, MSU has averaged 79.7 points and 39.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.4% from the field. The Mavericks have passed out 168 assists and have recorded 70 blocks.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including senior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds a game. Freshman Ryland Holt is averaging 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds also, while senior Kevin Krieger has tallied 11.1 points a game. Freshman Corvon Seales has posted 10.6 points and 3.2 assists a game as well.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 19th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 398-172 (.698).
    
Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-6 record, including a 0-6 NSIC record. MISU has lost its last six outings, including a 75-72 loss to the University of Mary in its last outing. Five of Minot State's last six losses have been within five points or less.

As a team, MISU is averaging 72.4 points and 37.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 33.4% from three point range. The Beavers have tallied 155 assists, but have committed 143 turnovers

Kyle Beisch is averaging a team-best 20.0 points, to go along with a team-high 37 three pointers, while Max Cody has notched 14.8 points and 6.4 assists a game. Trevor Rothstein is posting 5.4 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds a game also.

Minot State is coached by Matt Murken who is in his eighth season with the Beavers. He owns a 101-114 record.

Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary enters the weekend the owner of a 7-5 record, including a 2-4 NSIC record. The Marauders have won their last two games, including a 75-72 win over Minot State in its last outing.

As a team, U-Mary has averaged 70.5 points and 35.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.4% from the field and 31.6% from three point range. The Marauders tallied 169 assists and have committed 152 turnovers.

Matthew Kreklow has tallied a team-leading 15.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this season. Jaylan White has notched 12.4 points and 3.6 assists per game, while Connor Hellebust has tallied 9.8 points per game and a team-high 19 three pointers.

Joe Kittell is in his fifth season at the University of Mary. He owns a 98-92 record.