MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it takes on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs in a nonconference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at R/A Facility.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,449-950 (.604) in 2,399 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 Mustangs: Saturday game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 73rd all-time meeting with the Mavericks leading the series 51-21. MSU won all-three of their meetings last season, including a 68-67 win the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 15.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season against the Mustangs, while senior Justin Eagins posted 12.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Aeron Stevens posted 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Dunwa Omot averaged 10.0 points a game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 30-15 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 14-8 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-3 record. Last weekend in Kansas City, MSU defeated Southern Arkansas 71-67, before falling to Washburn 85-68.

As a team, MSU is averaging 68.5 points and 40.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 39.7% from the field and 25.6% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 53 assists and forced 41 turnovers.

Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 13.5 points and 2.5 assists per game this season, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Senior Kyreese Willingham has tallied 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 489-214 (.695).

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record, including wins against Fort Hays State (68-62) and Nebraska-Kearney (77-73) in Marshall last weekend.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 72.5 points and 36.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.7% from the field and 34.3% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 23 assists and have forced 26 turnovers.

Aeron Stevens is averaging 23.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 27-of-30 from the free throw line. Steven Kramer is posting 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game, while Mason Lund is averaging 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Brad Bigler is in his 16th season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State. He owns a 242-190 (.560) record.