MANKATO, Minn. --- #2 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this weekend as it travels to Bemidji State on Friday for a 5:30 p.m. MSU then finishes its weekend on Saturday as it takes on Minnesota Crookston 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 1,428-945 (.601) in 2,373 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 218-104 (.677) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Beavers: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 113th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 74-38. The Mavericks fell to the Beavers 79-76 in their most recent meeting on the road last season.

Junior Kyreese Willingham recorded a team-leading 25 points for the Mavericks while junior Tyrell Stuttley and sophomore Malcolm Jones each posted seven points and four rebounds.

John Sutherland recorded a double-double for the Beavers as he posted 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-7 record against Bemidji State, including a 6-2 record at on the road.

Against the Golden Eagles: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston marks their 28th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series with a 26-1 record. The Mavericks have won their last two games against UMC, including a 71-66 win on the road last season.

Junior Kyreese Willingham recorded 27 points and eight rebounds against the Golden Eagles last season, while junior Tyrell Stuttley posted 11 points.

Blaize Sagna led the Golden Eagles with 26 points and three rebounds. Xzavier Jones notched 10 points and eight rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 22-1 record against Minnesota Crookston, including a 10-1 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 14-0 record, including an 8-0 NSIC record. MSU defeated Northern State 81-66 in its most recent outing. MSU's 14-0 start to the season is the second-best start in team history, trailing its 17-0 start of the 2009-10 season.

As a team, MSU is averaging 92.6 points and 41.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9% from the field and 40.1% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 232 assists and have forced 167 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 13.6 points a game also and leads the team in three pointers made with 37.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 23rd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 467-209 (.690).

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the week the owner of a 9-5 record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, BSU fell to Southwest Minnesota State 82-65 before besting Sioux Falls 75-74. 

As a unit, BSU is averaging 79.8 points and 40.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.2% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 226 assists and have forced 155 turnovers.

Dalton Albrecht is averaging 16.6 points, 10.6 rebounds  and 4.1 assists per game this season, while John Sutherland has posted 20.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Bemidji State is coached by Mike Boschee who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Beavers and 21st season overall. He owns a 144-164 record at BSU and a 259-279 overall record.

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the week the owner of a 4-10 record, including a 1-7 NSIC record. The Golden Eagles have lost their last three games, including pair of road losses at Wayne State (62-53) and Augustana (84-60) last weekend.

UMC is averaging 65.1 points and 34.8 rebounds per game this season while shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.6% from three point range. The Golden Eagles have passed out 138 assists and have forced 127 turnovers.

Blaize Sagna is averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Reid Grant has posted 14.9 points and 4.1 assists a game.

Minnesota Crookston is coached by Bryan Beamish who is in his second season as head coach of the Golden Eagles. He owns a 6-36 record.