MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens the first round of the NSIC Tournament on the road this Tuesday as it takes on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., at Romano Gymnasium.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2022-23 season marks the 101st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,414-944 (.599) in 2,358 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 210-104 (.668) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Bulldogs: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 79th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 45-33. UMD defeated the Mavericks 85-76 at Taylor Center earlier this season. 

Senior Trevor Moore notched a game-high 27 points, while sophomore Harrison Braudis tallied 16 points. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham tallied 13 points also.

Joshua Brown led the Bulldogs with 22 points, while Charlie Katona tallied 20 points and seven rebounds. Drew Blair posted 19 points also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 22-7 record against the Bulldogs, including a 7-4 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 17-11 record, including an 11-11 NSIC record. Last week, MSU defeated Winona State 67-65 at home, before falling to Upper Iowa 86-84. With their 11-11 record, the Mavericks secured the sixth seed from the south division for the NSIC Tournament.

As a team, MSU is averaging 77.0 points and 38.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. The Mavericks are shooting 35.7% from three-point range and have passed out 377 assists and blocked 93 shots. The Mavericks lead the NSIC in rebounds per game.

Junior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham has tallied 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game also, while senior Trevor Moore has posted 14.9 points and 3.8 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 453-208 (.685).

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 20-8 record, including a 16-6 NSIC record. UMD has won its last four games, including a road game against Minnesota Crookston (109-69) and a home game against Bemidji State (87-53) last week.

As a unit, UMD is averaging 81.5 points and 35.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.1% from long range. The Bulldogs have passed out 367 assists and have recorded 163 steals.

Drew Blair leads the Bulldogs with 19.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Charlie Katona has notched 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game also, while Joshua Brown has tallied 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds a game.

Minnesota Duluth is coached by Justin Wieck who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He owns a 90-40 (.692) 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 recorded 22 points against Upper Iowa on Feb. 18, 2023 and in doing so he became the 42nd Maverick to record 1,000 career points in team history. He currently ranks 41st on the all-time scoring list at MSU with 1,018 trailing Zach Romashko (2011-15) who sits in 40th place with 1,036 points.