MANKATO, Minn. --- #6 Minnesota State begins a three-game road swing this weekend as it takes on Augustana on Friday at 5:30 p.m., and Wayne State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,422-945 (.600) in 2,367 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 212-104 (.670) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Vikings: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 130th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 67-62. The Mavericks have lost their last four meetings against the Vikings, including an 87-59 loss in their most recent outing last season.

Junior Kyreese Willingham notched 12 points and six rebounds, while senior Malik Willingham tallied eight points and four assists.

Akoi Akoi tallied 16 points and five rebounds for the Vikings, while Jadan Graves posted 15 points and three assists.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-21 record against Augustana, including a 10-11 record on the road.

Against the Wildcats: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 39th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 32-6 record. The Mavericks have won their last three meetings against the Wildcats, including a 67-66 win in their most recent encounter on the road.

Senior Malik Willingham notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Kyreese Willingham recorded a double-double also with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Jay Saunders posted 15 points and four rebounds for WSC, while Cody McCullough notched 11 points and four rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-4 record against Wayne State, including a 13-2 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-0 record, including a 2-0 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Sioux Falls 87-76 and Southwest Minnesota State 93-89 at Taylor Center.

As a team, MSU is averaging 92.9 points and 43.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.6% from the field. The Mavericks have also passed out 137 assists and have forced 99 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 19.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 13.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 10.9 points a game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 23rd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 461-209 (.688).

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 5-3 record, including a 1-2 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, the Vikings defeated Concordia-St. Paul 92-87, before falling to Minnesota Duluth 92-65.

As a unit, AU is averaging 80.4 points and 35.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.5% from three point range. The Vikings have passed out 100 assists and have forced 99 turnovers.

Isaac Fink is leading the Vikings with 20.5 points and 5.8 rebounds a game this season. Jadan Graves has tallied 15.5 points and 3.5 assists per game as well, while Akoi Akoi has notched 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Augustana is coached by Tom Billeter who is in his 21st season with the Vikings and 26th overall season. He owns a career record of 476-266 (.642), including a 379-216 (.637) record at Augustana.
 
Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-2 record, including a 1-2 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, WSC fell to both Minnesota Duluth (82-54) and Concordia-St. Paul (84-76).

As a team, WSC is averaging 78.0 points and 40.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.0% from the field and 33.9% from three point range. The Wildcats have passed out 126 assists and have forced 128 turnovers.

Trey Deveaux is averaging 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season, while David Harmon has tallied 12.8 points a game. Alec Millender has posted 10.3 points and 3.7 assists per game also.

Wayne State is coached by Jeff Kaminsky, who is in his eighth season as head coach at Wayne State and 30th season overall. He owns a career record of 404-408 (.498), including a 105-101 (.510) record at Wayne State.