MANKATO, Minn. --- After posting a pair of road wins this past weekend, the Minnesota State men's basketball team returns home for a pair of games this weekend as it takes on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Friday and the Sioux Falls Cougars on Saturday. Tip-offs for both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Taylor Center.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,454-951 (.604) in 2,405 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 232-116 (.667) 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: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their marks their 74th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 51-22. SMSU defeated the Mavericks 81-68 in Marshall earlier this season.

Junior Malcolm Jones tallied 13 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, while sophomore Caden Kirkman added 12 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Will Opsahl added 12 points as well.

Aeron Stevens led the Mustangs with 25 points and six rebounds, while Dunwa Omot tallied 21 points and three rebounds. Jakob Braaten tallied 10 points and six rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 30-16 record against the Mustangs, including a 15-7 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Cougars: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls will be their 35th all-time meeting. MSU leads the series with a 26-8 record and has won its last four games against the Cougars, including three meetings last season.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 19.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game against USF last season, while senior Justin Eagins tallied 9.3 points and 2.7 rebounds a game against the Cougars.

Shawn Warrior tallied 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Noah Puetz posted 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-7 record against USF, including a 12-3 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-4 record, including a 2-0 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, MSU defeated Wayne State 64-31 and Augustana 71-70.

As a team, MSU is averaging 76.3 points and 38.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.0% from the field and 33.0% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 149 assists and forced 107 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 15.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 11.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 11.1 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 494-215 (.696).

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-2 record, including a 2-1 NSIC record. Last weekend at home SMSU defeated Minnesota Duluth 79-66, before falling to Concordia-St. Paul 92-85.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 76.9 points and 38.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 29.7% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 100 assists and have forced 114 turnovers.

Aeron Stevens is averaging 17.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season, while Jakob Braaten has tallied 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game. Dunwa Omot is averaging 11.8 points a game as well.

The Mustangs are coach by Brad Bigler who is in his 16th season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State. He owns a 247-192 (.562) record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 6-3 record, including a 2-1 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, USF fell to Concordia-St. Paul 97-69, before defeating Minnesota Duluth 71-68.

As a team, USF is averaging 77.1 points and 40.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.7% from the field and 37.6% from three point range. The Cougars have passed out 155 assists and have forced 113 turnovers.

Noah Puetz is averaging 12.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while Shawn Warrior has tallied 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. Kyle Ingwerson has tallied 11.0 points per game also.

Chris Johnson is in his 17th season as head coach at Sioux Falls and 18th season overall. He owns a 273-201 (.575) record at USF and a 289-216 (.572) overall record.