MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team returns to Taylor Center this weekend as it takes on Bemidji State Friday and Minnesota Crookston Saturday. Game times are set for 5:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2021-22 season marks the 100th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,391-927 (.600) in 2,318 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 194-88 (.687) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Beavers: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 112th meeting with MSU leading the all-time series 74-37. Last season, the Mavericks split a pair of games against the Beavers at Taylor Center, including a 74-59 loss and a 91-67 win.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game against the Beavers last season, while sophomore Ryland Holt posted 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Sophomore Malik Willingham averaged 11.0 points per game also.

Derek Thompson led the Beavers with 23.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Mohamed Kone posted 7.5 points and 3.5 assists a game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-6 record against Bemidji State, including a 9-5 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Golden Eagles: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston marks their 27th meeting with MSU leading the series 25-1. MSU defeated UMC 93-90 in their most recent outing during the 2019-20 season.

Sophomore Ryland Holt led the Mavericks with 24 points and nine rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-1 record against UMC, including a 12-0 record at home.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 10-4 record, including a 4-4 NSIC record. This past weekend, MSU's game against Minnesota Duluth was cancelled and its game against St. Cloud State was postponed.

As a team, MSU is averaging 81.0 points and 38.1 rebounds per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. The Mavericks are also shooting 33.3% from three-point range and have passed out 152 assists and blocked 77 shots.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson is leading the Mavericks with 18.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season. Junior Devonte Thedford has tallied 12.5 points per game and is shooting 53.6% from the field. Freshman Brady Williams is averaging 12.7 points a game, while sophomore Malik Willingham has posted 9.0 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 430-191 (.692).

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-8 record, including a 3-7 NSIC record. Last weekend, BSU dropped a pair of home games to Winona State (79-74) and Upper Iowa (85-81).

As a unit, BSU is averaging 73.8 points and 36.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.6% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 203 assists and have committed 198 turnovers.

Travis Bianco is averaging 15.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a game this season, while Mohamed Kone has tallied 11.5 points and 4.5 assists a game. John Sutherland has posted 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game also.

Bemidji State is coached by Mike Boschee who is in his 10th season as head coach of the Beavers. He owns a 113-139 record at Bemidji State and an overall record of 228-254.

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 4-12 record, including a 1-9 NSIC record. UMC has lost its last nine games, including a pair of home losses to Upper Iowa (74-63) and Winona State (70-65) last weekend.

As a team, UMC is averaging 65.0 points and 35.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.2% from the field and 33.0% from three point range. The Golden Eagles have passed out 176 assists but have turned the ball over 223 times.

Ethan Channel is leading the Golden Eagles with 12.6 points a game, while Leonard Dixon has posted 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Uzo Dibiamaka has tallied 10.0 points and 3.3 assists a game also.

Minnesota Crookston is coached by Dan Weisse, who is in his eighth season with the Golden Eagles. He owns a 60-130 record.