MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State wraps up its four-game homestand this weekend at Taylor Center as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at 5:30 p.m., and Sioux Falls on Saturday at 3:30 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 1,411-941 (.599) in 2,352 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 207-101 (.672) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Mustangs: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 69th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 48-20. SMSU has won the last three games against the Mavericks, including a 62-58 win in Marshall earlier this season.

Junior Malik Willingham and sophomore Harrison Braudis each tallied 12 points, with Willingham also hauling in nine rebounds.

Dunwa Omot led the Mustangs with 17 points, while Jake Phipps tallied 13 points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-14 record against SMSU, including a 14-5 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Cougars: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 30th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 21-8. USF won their earlier meeting this season 71-48 in Sioux Falls. 

Sophomore Kyreese Willingham notched nine points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, while freshman Malcolm Jones posted eight points and six rebounds.

Kenji Scales led the Cougars with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Matt Cartwright tallied 15 points and seven rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-7 record against Sioux Falls, including a 10-3 record in Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 14-8 record, including an 8-8 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, the Mavericks fell to UMary (69-67) before defeating Minot State (70-66).

As a team, MSU is averaging 79.1 points and 39.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. The Mavericks are shooting 36.9% from three-point range and have passed out 302 assists and blocked 79 shots.

Junior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham has tallied 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game also, while senior Trevor Moore has posted 15.0 points and 3.9 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 450-205 (.687).

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 13-8 record, including a 9-7 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, SMSU fell to Bemidji State (83-76) and Minnesota Crookston (71-63).

As a unit, SMSU is averaging 67.6 points and 34.6 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.2% from the field and 34.2% from long range. The Mustangs have passed out 258 assists and have recorded 130 steals.

Dunwa Omot leads the Mustangs with 16.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Jake Phipps has notched 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game also, while Anthony Costello has tallied 11.5 points and 3.0 assists a game.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler who is in his 14th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 218-173 record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 16-6 record, including an 11-5 NSIC record. USF has won its last three games, including a pair of road wins at Minnesota Crookston (98-74) and Bemidji State (76-75).

As a team, USF is averaging 74.2 points and 36.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.2% from the field and 37.0% from three point range. The Cougars have passed out 339 assists and have recorded 117 steals.

Matt Cartwright leads the Cougars with 22.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season, while Jack Thompson has tallied 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game. Noah Puetz has notched 8.8 points per game as well.

Chris Johnson is in his 16th season as head coach at Sioux Falls. He owns a 259-179 record.

Block Party: Senior Kelby Kramer ranks second all-time in career blocks at Minnesota State with 191. He trails Chris Witfield (2003-06) who is MSU's all-time leader in blocks with 224.

1,000 Point Watch: Junior Malik Willingham has recorded 896 career points in four seasons with the Mavericks. He is 104 points away from becoming the 42nd member of the MSU 1,000 Point Club.