MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team earned the eighth seed in the NCAA Central Region Tournament and will take on #1 Northwest Missouri State in the first round this Saturday in Maryville, Mo. Tip-off is schedule for 6:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,354-900 (.600) in 2,254 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 are making their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this 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 Bearcats: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northwest Missouri State will be their seventh all-time meeting, with the series tied 3-3. MSU defeated the Bearcats 60-50 last season in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. This will be the fifth time the Mavericks have faced Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Carlos Anderson tallied nine points and four rebounds, while juniors Cameron Kirksey and Kevin Krieger each posted eight points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 51.1% from the field and 9-of-12 (.750) from the free throw line.

Joey Witthus tallied 19 points and three assists for the Bearcats, while Ryan Welty tallied five points and two rebounds. As a team, Northwest Missouri State shot 29.1% from the field, including an 8-of-34 (.235) from long range.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 1-3 record against Northwest Missouri State, with all four meetings coming during the NCAA Tournament.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns an 18-11 record on the season, including a 66-56 loss to Bemidji State in its most recent outing.

MSU is averaging 80.9 points and 38.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.9% from the field. The Mavericks have also passed out 391 assists and have forced 300 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging double figures in points this season, including junior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging a team-best 17.5  points per game, to go along with 6.0 rebounds a game. Junior Kevin Krieger is averaging 14.4 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per games this season, with senior Carlos Anderson following right behind with 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud is posting 11.0 points and 3.3 assists per game as well.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 393-164 (.705).
    
Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State enters the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated record of 32-0. The Bearcats picked up their fourth consecutive MIAA Tournament title with an 82-53 win over Washburn last weekend. 
 
Northwest Missouri  is averaging 84.1 points and 33.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 51.5% from the field and 41.6% from three point range. The Bearcats have also passed out 463 assists and have forced 426 turnovers. 

Joey Witthus is averaging a team-best 20.9 points per game this season, while shooting 50.5% from the field. Trevor Hudgins is averaging 18.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, while Ryan Hawkins has posted 14.0 points and a team-leading 9.0 rebounds a game.

Northwest Missouri State is coached by Ben McCollum, who is in his 10th season with the Bearcats. He owns a 235-75 record.

MSU NCAA Tournament History: The Minnesota State men's basketball team has reached the NCAA Tournament 15 times in its history. The Mavericks own an 18-14 overall record in their 14 previous visits to the tournament.

The Mavericks hosted their fourth NCAA Central Region Tournament at Taylor Center  in 2014. During the 2010-11 season, MSU advanced to the Final Four.

MSU NCAA Tournament History

Year    Opponent    Results
1963-64    vs. Nebraska Wesleyan    W, 87-72
1963-64    vs. State College of Iowa    L, 71-65
1975-76    vs. Nebraska-Omaha    W, 95-73
1975-76    vs. UW-Green Bay    L, 72-67 (2OT)
2004-05    vs. Fort Lewis    W, 86-78
2004-05    at Metropolitan State    L, 85-64
2005-06    vs. Nebraska-Kearney    W, 82-70
2005-06    at Winona State    L, 74-71
2006-07    vs. Fort Lewis    W, 85-71
2006-07    vs. Metropolitan State    W, 70-68
2006-07    at Winona State    L, 89-76
2007-08    vs. Augustana    L, 95-87
2008-09    vs. Fort Lewis    W, 87-62
2008-09    at Southwest Minnesota State    L, 77-69
2009-10    vs. Colorado School of Mines    W, 84-80
2009-10    vs. St. Cloud State    L, 93-71
2010-11    vs. Winona State    W, 96-81
2010-11    vs. Metropolitan State    W, 69-65
2010-11    vs. Fort Lewis    W, 81-63
2010-11    vs. Alabama-Huntsville    W, 95-91 (OT)
2010-11    vs. Bellarmine    L, 81-74
2012-13    vs. Arkansas Tech    W, 81-65
2012-13    vs. Harding    W, 86-65
2012-13    vs. Winona State    L, 76-73 (OT)
2013-14    vs. Harding    W, 97-56
2013-14    vs. Northwest Mo. State    L, 71-66
2014-15    vs. Northwest Mo. State    L, 59-56
2015-16    vs. MSU Moorhead    W, 85-81
2015-16    vs. Northwest Mo. State    L, 82-60
2017-18    at Northwest Mo. State    W, 60-50
2017-18    vs. Southwest Minnesota State    W, 74-70
2017-18    vs. Northern State    L, 90-83