MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues NSIC North Division action this weekend on the road as it takes on Minnesota Crookston on Friday and Bemidji State on Saturday. Tip-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., respectively.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2022-23 season marks the 101st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,409-937 (.600) in 2,346 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 205-97 (.678) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

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

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-1 record against Minnesota Crookston, including a 9-1 record in the road.

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 112th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 74-37. MSU and BSU split their last two encounters during the 2020-21 season at Taylor Center. BSU won the first game 74-59, before the Mavericks evened the series with a 91-67 win.

Junior Malik Willingham notched 19 points and four rebounds in MSU's latest win over the Beavers, while senior Kelby Kramer notched six points and four blocks.

Dalton Albrecht recorded eight points and seven rebounds for the Beavers, while Mohamed Kone tallied seven points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-6 record against Bemidji State, including a 6-1 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 12-4 record, including a 6-4 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated St. Cloud State 78-65, before falling to Minnesota Duluth 85-76.

As a team, MSU is averaging 81.3 points and 40.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. The Mavericks are shooting 37.1% from three-point range and have passed out 238 assists and blocked 63 shots.

Junior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. Sophomore Harrison Braudis is averaging 12.3 points per game and is shooting 52.5% from the field. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham has tallied 12.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game also, while senior Trevor Moore has posted 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as well.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 22nd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 448-201 (.690).

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 1-15 record, including a 0-10 NSIC record. UMC has lost its last 10 games, including road losses to Winona State (58-53) and Upper Iowa (78-52) last weekend.

As a unit, UMC is averaging 66.4 points and 34.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.0% from the field and 32.8% from long range. The Golden Eagles have passed out 156 assists, but have committed 232 turnovers.

Blaize Sagna leads the Golden Eagles with 15.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Xzavier Jones has notched 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game also, while Chandler Meeks has tallied 7.1 points and 2.3 rebounds a game.

Minnesota Crookston is coached by Bryan Beamish who is in his first season as head coach of the Golden Eagles. He owns a 1-15 record.

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-6 record, including a 5-5 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, BSU fell to Upper Iowa 87-80 before defeating Winona State 65-61.

As a team, BSU is averaging 80.1 points and 36.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.3% from the field and 36.6% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 217 assists and have recorded 80 steals.

John Sutherland leads the Beavers with 19.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season, while Dalton Albrecht has tallied 16.0 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. Mohamed Kone has notched 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game.

Mike Boschee is in his 11th season as head coach at Bemidji State and his 20th season overall. He owns an overall record of 240-269.