MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens its 2024-25 season with an exhibition contest on the road on Tuesday as it takes on the Kentucky Wildcats. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,448-947 (.604) in 2,395 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. Since joining the NSIC prior to the start of the 2008-09 season, MSU has put together a 230-116 (.664) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and three tournament championships.

The Mavericks won the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship with an 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marked their first NSIC Championship since the 2013-14 season. MSU then went on to win the NSIC Tournament Championship with its 97-77 win over Minnesota Duluth in the finals of the conference tournament.

After defeating Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42) in the 2024 NCAA Central Region Tournament, Minnesota State advanced to its second NCAA Elite Eight under head coach Matt Margenthaler. Wins over Ferris State (98-70) and West Texas A&M (79-72) saw the Mavericks reach the NCAA Championship game for the first time in team history. MSU would go on to defeat Nova Southeastern 88-85, including the game-winning three pointer from senior Kyreese Willingham with 0.8 remaining, to win its first NCAA DII Championship in team history.  

Against the Wildcats: Tuesday's meeting between Minnesota State and Kentucky marks their first meeting between them.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2023-24 season with a 35-2 record as it won its first NCAA DII Championship in team history. The Mavericks also claimed their fifth Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season championship behind a 20-2 league record. MSU also won its third NSIC Tournament championship as well. 

As a team, MSU averaged 84.9 points and 38.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 38.2% from three point range. The Mavericks also passed out 561 assists and forced 433 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, while senior Justin Eagins posted 12.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while connecting on 86 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 488-211 (.699).

Concerning the Wildcats: Kentucky finished its 2023-24 season with a 23-10 record, including a 13-5 SEC record. The Wildcats advcanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season where they fell to Oakland 80-76.

Ansley Almonor averaged 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while connecting on 93 three pointers at Fairleigh Dickinson last season. Andrew Carr tallied 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game at Wake Forest last season.

Kentucky is coached by Mark Pope who is in his first season as head coach of the Wildcats. He owns a career record of 187-108 (.634), including a 110-52 (.679) record as head coach at BYU prior to joining Kentucky.

Rewriting the Record Book: Minnesota State established single-season highs in several team categories last season.

Scoring - 3,141 points
Field Goals Made - 1,159
Field Goals Attempted - 2,362
3pt Field Goals - 342
3pt Field Goals Attempted - 895
Most Games Played - 37
Wins in a Season - 35