MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this weekend as it takes on #21 Minot State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., at the University of Mary on Saturday at 5:30 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 1,430-945 (.602) in 2,375 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 220-104 (.679) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Beavers: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their 12th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 9-2. Last season, the Mavericks defeated Minot State 70-66 at Taylor Center.

Junior Kyreese Willingham posted 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior Malik Willingham notched 12 points and five rebounds.

Jalen Cook recorded 19 points for the Beavers, while Jaxon Gunville posted 15 points and three rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-2 record against Minot State, including a 3-2 record at on the road.

Against the Marauders: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and the University of Mary marks their 19th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series with a 13-5 record. The Mavericks have lost their last two meetings against UMary, including a 69-67 loss at home last season.

Senior Malik Willingham recorded 26 points and four assists, while junior Kyreese Willingham posted six points, four blocks and 11 rebounds.

Zyon Smith tallied eight points and three rebounds for the Marauders.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 13-5 record against UMary, including a 6-2 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 16-0 record, including a 10-0 NSIC record. MSU defeated Bemidji State (94-92 OT) and Minnesota Crookston (101-64) on the road last weekend. MSU's 16-0 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 93.2 points and 41.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.1% from the field and 39.1% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 269 assists and have forced 190 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 13.3 points a game also and has connected on 40 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds 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 469-209 (.691).

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the week the owner of a 13-3 record, including an 8-2 NSIC record. The Beavers have won their last five outings, including a pair of wins at home last weekend against Sioux Falls (78-60) and Southwest Minnesota State (72-60).

As a unit, MISU is averaging 80.6 points and 38.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.2% from the field and 38.4% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 207 assists and have forced 178 turnovers.

Khari Broadway is averaging 15.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this season, while Connor Hollenbeck has tallied 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Jaxon Gunville has notched 10.5 points per game and leads the Beavers in three pointers made with 45.

Minot State is coached by Matt Murken who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Beavers and 14th season overall. He owns a record of 153-164 at Minot State and a 199-180 overall record.

Concerning the Marauders: UMary enters the week the owner of a 6-10 record, including a 1-9 NSIC record. The Marauders have lost their last four games, including a pair of losses against Augustana (83-50) and Wayne State (73-53) at home last weekend.

UMary is averaging 68.6 points and 37.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting 42.0% from the field and 29.8% from three point range. The Marauders have passed out 176 assists and have forced 171 turnovers.

Gerald Gittens is averaging 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Brock Heffner has posted 13.4 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Zyon Smith is averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game also.

UMary is coached by Jack Nelson who is in his Third season as head coach of the Marauders. He owns a 28-42 record.

NABC Poll: The Mavericks have been ranked #1 in this week's NABC Poll. This is the second time in team history that the Mavericks have been ranked first in the NABC Poll with the first coming back on Feb. 1, 2005.

MSU's five appearances this season in the top-3 are tied for the most in a season under head coach Matt Margenthaler. The Mavericks were ranked in the top-3 five times during the 2004-05 season.