MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team concludes its regular season schedule this weekend on the road as it takes on Concordia-St. Paul in a Friday-Saturday series. Friday's tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with Saturday's set for 2:00 p.m.
Minnesota State History: The 2020-21 season marks the 99th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,379-922 (.599) in 2,301 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 188-84 (.691) 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 Golden Bears: This weekend's games between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul will be their 36th and 37th all-time meetings with MSU leading the series 29-6. The Mavericks have won their last 12 meetings with the Golden Bears, including a pair of wins (82-58 & 85-68) last season.
Sophomore
Ryland Holt averaged 22.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game against the Golden Bears last season, while sophomore
Landon Wolfe tallied 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds a game as well, while junior
Kelby Kramer notched 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
As a team, MSU shot 46.7% from the field against the Peacocks last season, to go along with a 30-of-63 (.476) performance from downtown. MSU also passed out 36 assists and forced 27 turnovers.
Carlos Barela averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Lee Higgins tallied 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
As a unit, CSP shot 40.3% from the field against the Mavericks last season, including a 14-of-43 (.326) performance from three point range. The Golden Bears also tallied 13 steals.
Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-5 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including a 12-3 record on the road.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-6 record including a 7-5 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks were swept by Upper Iowa by the scores of 96-94 and 94-87.
As a team, MSU is averaging 78.4 points and 37.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.2% from the field, including a 39.2% showing from long range. The Mavericks have also passed out 183 assists and have recorded 54 blocks.
Four Mavericks are averaging more than 10 points per game this season including sophomore
Quincy Anderson who leads the team with 17.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Junior
Devonte Thedford is averaging 12.9 points and a team-best 3.9 assists per game, while sophomore
Malik Willingham has tallied 11.6 points per game. Sophomore
Ryland Holt is averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game also.
The Mavericks are led by
Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 20th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 418-186 (.692).
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-11 record, including a 0-8 NSIC record. The Golden Bears have lost their last 11 outings, including a pair of road losses at Winona State (76-62 & 77-58) last weekend.
As a unit, CSP is averaging 69.8 points and 33.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.7% from the field and 29.5% from three point range. The Golden Bears have passed out 152 assists but have committed 194 turnovers.
Carlos Barela leads the CSP offense with 12.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Marcus Skeete has tallied 10.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Jax Madison has posted 10.3 points and a team-best 23 three pointers this season.
Matt Fletcher is in his first season as head coach of the Golden Bears. He owns a career record of 77-44.
