MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues its season in Sioux Falls, S.D. this weekend as it takes on a pair of opponents at the Bill Gross Augustana Classic at Elmen Center. On Friday, the Mavericks will square off with Jamestown at 12 p.m., before facing Truman State on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,450-951 (.603) in 2,401 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 Jimmies: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Jamestown marks their third all-time meeting, with MSU owning a 2-0 record.

The Mavericks defeated the Jimmies 81-59 in their most recent meeting during the 2013-14 season in Taylor Center. Their first meeting during the 1983-84 season saw MSU defeat UJ 113-72.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 1-0 record against Jamestown.

Against the Bulldogs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Truman State will be their fifth all-time meeting. MSU leads the series with a 3-1 record, including wins in their last three outings, all of which were played in Taylor Center.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 3-0 record against TSU, including a 66-59 win in their last encounter during the 2007-08 season.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-4 record. Last weekend at home, MSU defeated Minnesota Morris 106-71.

As a team, MSU is averaging 74.7 points and 41.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.0% from the field and 28.5% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 92 assists and forced 62 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 11.3 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman and freshman Will Opsahl are both averaging 10.2 points a game. Kirkman is hauling in 6.7 rebounds a game also, while Opsahl leads the team in three pointers with 14.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 490-215 (.695).

Concerning the Jimmies: Jamestown enters the weekend the owner of a 3-4 record, including a 1-1 record last weekend. The Jimmies fell to Minot State 86-74, before defeating Northern State 79-64.

As a team, UJ is averaging 73.3 points and 34.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.9% from the field and 34.1% from three point range. The Jimmies have passed out 83 assists and have forced 86 turnovers.

Both Silas Bennion and Anthony Walters are averaging 14.4 points per game this season and are tied for the team lead in three pointers with 15. Owen Hektner is averaging 13.4 points a game also, while Jimmy Llinas is averaging 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.

Casey Bruggeman is in his first season as head coach at Jamestown. He owns a 3-4 record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Truman State owns a 3-1 record, including a 90-87 win over Northeastern State at home in its most recent outing. The Bulldogs will face Rockhurst on Tuesday before traveling to Sioux Falls.

As a team, TSU is averaging 83.3 points and 32.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 53.7% from the field and 41.2% from three point range. The Bulldogs have passed out 82 assists and have forced 37 turnovers.

Trey Shearer is averaging 15.0 points a game and leads the team in three pointers with 16. Kobi Williams has notched 14.0 points and 3.0 rebounds a game also, while Xavier Hall has recorded 8.5 points and 8.2 assists a game.