MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team concludes a four-game road trip this weekend as it travels to Marshall, Minn., to take on Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-offs are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday.

Minnesota State History: The 2020-21 season marks the 99th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,375-918 (.599) in 2,293 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 184-80 (.696) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 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 Mustangs: This weekend's games between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State will be their 64th and 65th meetings with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 46-17. MSU has won its last five meetings against the Mustangs, including a pair of wins last season

Junior Kelby Kramer averaged 11.0 points and 15.5 rebounds per game last season against SMSU, while shooting 8-of-12 (.667) from the field. Sophomore Ryland Holt averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game against the Mustangs as well. 

As a team, MSU shot 37.9% from the field against the Mustangs last season, to go along with a 34-of-49 (.694) showing from the free throw line. MSU also passed out 21 assists and blocked 10 shots.

Cliff McCray averaged 10.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season against the Mavericks, while Nick Dufault posted 7.5 points a game. 

As a unit, SMSU shot 29.2% from the field against MSU last season, including an 8-of-28 (.292) performance from three point range. The Mustangs also went 29-of-38 (.763) from the free throw line and recorded 15 steal.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 25-11 record against the Mustangs, including a 9-6 record on the road. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-2 record including a 3-1 NSIC. Last weekend, the Mavericks split its series with Wayne State, losing the first game 85-68, before evening the series with an 80-77 win in the second game.

As a team, MSU is averaging 74.8 points and 38.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.3% from the field. The Mavericks have also passed out 70 assists and have recorded 23 blocks.

Five Mavericks are averaging more than nine points per game this season with sophomore Quincy Anderson leading the way with 16.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Junior Devonte Thedford is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game, while sophomore Ryland Holt is averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore Malik Willingham has tallied 11.5 points per game and a team-best 15 three pointers. Freshman Brady Williams is posting 9.8 points a game as well, while junior Kelby Kramer has tallied 5.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 20th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 414-182 (.694).

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-2 record, with all four of their nonconference games coming against Minot State. In its most recent outings in Marshall, SMSU defeated the Beavers 83-64 in the first game (Jan. 8), before falling to Minot State 82-65 in the second game (Jan. 9). 

As a unit, Southwest Minnesota State is averaging 69.0 points and 31.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.5% from the field, including a 39-of-80 (.488) showing from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 58 assists but have committed 62 turnovers.

Nick Dufault leads SMSU with 16.8 points per game and 15 three pointers this season. Kaden Evans has tallied 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Jake Phipps has notched 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Brad Bigler is in his 12th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 189-147 (.562) record.