MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will begin a four-game road trip this weekend as it takes on the Sioux Falls Cougars on Friday, at 7:30 p.m., before squaring off with the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Saturday at 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 1,361-908 (.599) in 2,269 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 174-72 (.707) 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 Cougars: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 23rd all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 17-5. MSU has lost its last two encounters with the Cougars, including an 86-81 loss earlier this season in Taylor Center. 

Senior Cameron Kirksey tallied a team-leading 19 points, while senior Kevin Krieger notched 13 points. Freshman Corvon Seales added 12 points and five assists, while sophomore Kelby Kramer posted 11 points and six rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 14-4 record against Sioux Falls, including a 6-2 road record.

Against the Mustangs: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State will be their 63rd meeting with MSU leading the all-time series 45-17. The Mavericks have won their last four games against the Mustangs, including a 67-57 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

Senior Cameron Kirksey notched a team-best 21 points, while sophomore Kelby Kramer notched a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 24-11 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including an 8-6 road record.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-7 record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. The Mavericks have won their last four games, including a pair of wins over Minot State (87-79) and the University of Mary (69-65) last weekend at Taylor Center.

As a team, MSU has averaged 79.4 points and 40.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.4% from the field. The Mavericks have passed out 193 assists and have recorded 81 blocks.

Three Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including senior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging 19.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Freshman Ryland Holt is averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds also, while senior Kevin Krieger has tallied 12.3 points a game. Freshman Corvon Seales has posted 9.7 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 400-172 (.699).
    
Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend with an 11-3 record and currently sits atop the NSIC standings with a 7-1 conference record. USF has won its last four games, including a pair of road victories last weekend at Wayne State (77-65) and Augustana (65-59).

As a team, USF is averaging 71.5 points and 37.6 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.0% from the field and 30.5% from three point range. The Cougars have tallied 100 steals this season, but have also committed 193 turnovers.

Austin Slater leads the USF offense with 11.3 points per game, while Teathloach Pal has tallied 10.1 points and a team-best 9.8 rebounds a game. Jack Thompson has tallied 9.3 points per game and leads his team with 22 three pointers.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson who is in his 12th season with the Cougars. He owns a 206-145 record.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-9 record, including a 2-6 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mustangs fell to Augustana 64-61, before besting Wayne State 62-59.

As a team, SMSU has averaged 67.6 points and 35.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.2% from the field and 37.9% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 158 assists this season, but have committed 183 turnovers.

Kenny Byers leads SMSU with 17.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. Nick Dufault has tallied 13.9 points per game this season and leads the team with 30 three pointers. Cliff McCray has notched 10.0 points per game also.

The Mustangs are coached by Brad Bigler, who is in his in his 11th season as head coach at SMSU. He owns a 184-133 record.