MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins the new year at home this weekend as it takes on St. Cloud State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, at 5:30 p.m.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2022-23 season marks the 101st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,408-936 (.600) in 2,344 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 204-96 (.680) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Huskies: Friday's game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks their 186th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 93-92. The Mavericks have won their last five outings against the Huskies, including an 86-68 win in their most recent encounter on the road earlier this season.

Senior Trevor Moore led the Maverick offense with 23 points, while sophomore Kyreese Willingham notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Brady Williams notched 13 points and seven rebounds also.

Tommy Chatman and Tony Dahl led the Huskies with 19 points each. Ryan Bagley hauled in eight rebounds and passed out seven assists also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 24-18 record against St. Cloud State, including a 13-8 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Bulldogs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 78th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 45-32. The Mavericks have won their last two encounters with the Bulldogs, including a 79-73 win in their most recent meeting in the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament back in 2020.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of an 11-3 record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. In its most recent outing, MSU defeated Concordia-St. Paul 79-74 on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 81.9 points and 40.3 rebounds per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. The Mavericks are shooting 37.2% from three-point range and have passed out 202 assists and blocked 58 shots.

Junior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. Sophomore Harrison Braudis is averaging 12.6 points per game and is shooting 55.0% from the field. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham has tallied 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game also, while senior Trevor Moore has posted 11.9 points and 4.1 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 447-200 (.690).

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the week the owner of a 5-8 record, including a 2-6 NSIC record. SCSU has lost its last five games, including home losses to MSU Moorhead (86-72) and Northern State (83-65) last weekend.

As a unit, SCSU is averaging 75.5 points and 33.6 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.8% from long range. The Huskies have passed out 180 assists and have recorded 84 steals.

Matthew Willert leads the Huskies with 14.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Tommy Chatman has notched 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game also, while Ryan Bagley has tallied 7.3 points and 5.3 assists a game.

St. Cloud State is coached by Quincy Henderson who is in his first season as head coach of the Huskies. He owns a 5-8 record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the week the owner of a 10-4 record, including a 6-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, UMD fell to both Northern State (75-73) and MSU Moorhead (72-58) at home.

As a team, UMD is averaging 81.9 points and 35.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.3% from three point range. The Bulldogs have passed out 186 assists and have forced 172 turnovers.

Drew Blair leads the Bulldogs with 21.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, while Charlie Katona has tallied 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Austin Andrews has notched 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as well.

Justin Wieck is in his fifth season as head coach of Minnesota Duluth. He owns an 80-36 record.