MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team wraps up the north portion of its NSIC schedule this weekend as it travels to Minnesota Crookston on Friday and Bemidji State on Saturday. Tip-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,351-896 (.601) in 2,247 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 166-66 (.715) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns an 18-14 record (.562) in NCAA Tournament play, including its 60-50 win over Northwest Missouri State, a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State and a 90-83 loss to Northern State last season.

Against the Golden Eagles: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston will be their 25th all-time meeting. The Mavericks have won all 24 of their previous games, including an 80-78 win last season at Taylor Center.

Junior Kevin Krieger netted 20 points for the Mavericks, while junior Cameron Kirksey tallied a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Carlos Anderson tallied 10 points as well.

As a team, MSU shot 45.5% from the field against the Golden Eagles, while taking advantage of 14-of-20 (.700) attempts from the free throw line. The Mavericks also recorded 15 second chance points and 10 points off of 12 UMC turnovers.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 20-0 record against Minnesota Crookston, including a 9-0 record on the road.

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State will be their 106th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 70-35. The Mavericks have won their last three meetings with the Beavers, including an 87-70 win at Taylor Center last season.

Junior Kevin Krieger notched a double-double as he tallied a career-high 30 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Carlos Anderson added 10 points and four rebounds as well.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 47.2% from the field against the Beavers, including a 13-of-24 (.542) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 50-28 advantage in rebounds and a 19-5 advantage in second chance points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 12-4 record against the Beavers, including a 5-1 record on the road. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 15-7 record and sits in a tie for third place in the NSIC standings with an 11-5 conference record. Last weekend, MSU defeated MSU Moorhead 88-87, before falling to Northern State 88-80 at home.

So far this season, MSU is averaging 83.1 points and 38.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.9% from the field. The Mavericks have connected on 201 three pointers this season and have passed out 309 assists, while forcing 225 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 12.3 points a game this season or more, including junior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging a team-best 18.7  points per game, to go along with 5.6 rebounds a game. Senior Carlos Anderson is posting 14.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while junior Kevin Krieger is averaging 13.6 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud is recording 12.3 points and 3.3 assists a game as well.
      
Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 13-12 record and sits in 12th place in the NSIC standings with a 6-10 record. UMC has lost its last four games, including losses to Southwest Minnesota State (100-78) and Sioux Falls (82-74) last weekend.
 
Minnesota Crookston is averaging 78.6 points and 34.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field. UMC has also connected on 228 three pointers and is shooting 41.1% from behind the arc.

Harrison Cleary is averaging 21.8 points and 4.0 assists a game this season, while Chae Knickerbocker has posted 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds a game.

Minnesota Crookston is coached by Dan Weisse, who is in his fifth season at UMC.

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-13 record, and sits in 14th place in the NSIC standings with a 4-12 conference record. Last weekend, BSU defeated Sioux Falls 76-73, before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 84-62.

Bemidji State is averaging 75.9 points and 35.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.1% from the field. BSU has also passed out 293 assists, but it has also committed 283 turnovers. 

Derek Thompson leads the Beavers with 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. Ja Morgan is averaging 11.6 points and 6.3 assists per game as well.

Bemidji State is coached by Matt Boschee, who is in his seventh season with the Beavers.