MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State will finish the 2021 calendar year with three games at Taylor Center beginning this weekend. MSU will host Sioux Falls on Friday at 5:30 p.m., before taking on Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Mavericks will then take on Dakota State on Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2021-22 season marks the 100th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,388-926 (.599) in 2,314 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 192-87 (.688) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Cougars: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 27th meeting between them, with MSU leading the all-time series 19-7. Last season the Mavericks split their season series with the Cougars at Taylor Center. MSU won the first game 90-59, before dropping the second game 74-62.

Three Mavericks averaged more than 10 points a game against USF last season, including sophomore Quincy Anderson who boasted 23.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game against the Cougars. Junior Devonte Thedford averaged 14.5 points and 5.5 assists a game vs. USF last season, while sophomore Ryland Holt tallied 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.

Chase Grinde averaged 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a game last season against the Mavericks, while Wesley Oba averaged 5.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-6 record against Sioux Falls, including a 9-3 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Mustangs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State will be the 66th meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 48-17. MSU has won its last seven meetings against the Mustangs, including a pair of wins (60-40 & 95-67) on the road last season.

Sophomore Malik Willingham notched 18.5 points and 3.0 assists a game against SMSU last season, while sophomore Quincy Anderson notched 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.

Alex Hillesheim averaged 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Jake Phipps posted 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-11 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 13-5 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Trojans: Monday's game between Minnesota State and Dakota State will be their fourth meeting between them with MSU owning a 3-0 record. 

MSU defeated CSU 95-71 at Taylor Center during the 2013-14 season in the their most recent outing.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 7-3 record, including a 2-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU fell to both Augustana (83-50) and Wayne State (79-69) on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 81.0 points and 37.9 rebounds per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. The Mavericks are also shooting 31.9% from three-point range and have passed out 106 assists and blocked 53 shots.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson is leading the Mavericks with 17.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season. Junior Devonte Thedford has tallied 13.1 points per game and is shooting 52.4% from the field. Freshman Brady Williams is averaging 12.0 points a game also, while sophomore Malik Willingham has posted 8.1 points per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 21st season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 427-190 (.692).

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 6-5 record, including a 2-3 NSIC record. Last week, USF fell to Upper Iowa 86-79, before besting Winona State 71-57.

As a unit, USF is averaging 74.8 points and 36.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.4% from three point range. Sioux Falls has also passed out 147 assists and has recorded 48 steals.

Matt Cartwright leads the USF offense with 22.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season, to go along with 36 three pointers made. Jack Thompson is averaging 12.8 points and 2.4 rebounds a game as well, while Chase Grinde has averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson who is in his 14th season as head coach of the Cougars. He owns a 230-161 record at USF and a 246-176 overall record.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-4 record, including a 2-3 NSIC record.  Last weekend, SMSU defeated Winona State 50-49, before falling to Upper Iowa 82-80.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 70.2 points and 36.7 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46.0% from the field and 35.8% from three point range. SMSU has tallied 133 assists but has committed 133 turnovers.

Kenny Byers and Jake Phipps are both averaging 13.4.0 points a game this season, with Byers also passing out 3.6 assists a game and Phipps hauling in 7.1 rebounds a game. Cliff McCray is averaging 11.2 points per game also.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 196-157 record at SMSU.

Concerning the Trojans: Dakota State enters the week the owner of a 3-10 record. Last week, the Trojans lost a pair of home games against Bellevue (67-54) and Jamestown (81-71). This game will count as an exhibition for Dakota State.

As a team, DSU is averaging 65.4 points and 33.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from three point range. 

Jordan Lynn is averaging 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, while Jaxson Simmons has tallied 9.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.

The Trojans are coached by Gary Garner who is in his 13th season at DSU. He owns a 186-192 record at Dakota State and a 540-484 career record.