MANKATO, Minn. --- After going 1-1 this past weekend, the Minnesota State men's basketball team will take on a pair of opponents this week to wrap up the 2024 calendar year. MSU will host Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., before traveling to Winona State on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game at McCown Gymnasium.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,455-952 (.604) in 2,407 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 233-117 (.665) 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 Golden Bears: Thursday's meeting between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their marks their 43rd all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 36-6. The Mavericks have won their last 19 games against the Golden Bears, including an 88-80 win at Taylor Center last season.

Senior Justin Eagins tallied 20 points and five rebounds, while senior Harrison Braudis added 10 points. Senior Kyreese Willingham recorded nine points and seven rebounds also.

Antwan Kimmons notched 26 points and seven rebounds from CSP, while Marcus Skeete tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 34-5 record against the Golden Bears, including a 17-2 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State will be their 150th all-time meeting. MSU leads the series with a 95-54 record and has won its last four games against the Cougars, including an 89-64 win at Winona State last season.

Senior Kyreese Willingham tallied 11 points and four rebounds, while junior Malcolm Jones notched eight points and seven rebounds.

Connor Drew recorded nine points and three rebounds against the Mavericks last season.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-24 record against WSU, including a 9-12 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 7-5 record, including a 2-1 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, MSU fell to Southwest Minnesota State 82-73, before defeating Sioux Falls 82-79.

As a team, MSU is averaging 76.5 points and 38.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.5% from the field and 34.9% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 176 assists and forced 125 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 16.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 13.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 10.8 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.6 points and 6.7 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 495-216 (.696).

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the week the owner of a 9-2 record, including a 4-1 NSIC record. CSP has won its last four games, including wins at home against Wayne State (85-79) and Augustana (99-97) last weekend.

As a team, CSP is averaging 89.3 points and 40.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.6% from the field and 36.7% from three point range. The Golden Bears have passed out 171 assists and have forced 111 turnovers.

Antwan Simmons is averaging 23.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season, while Marcus Skeete has tallied 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds a game. Ben Kopetzki and Cade Meyer are averaging 14.9 points per game also.

The Golden Bears are coach by Matt Fletcher who is in his fifth season as head coach at Concordia-St. Paul and ninth season overall. He owns a 31-78 (.284) record at CSP and a 107-111 (.491) career record.

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the week the owner of an 8-3 record, including a 3-2 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, WSU defeated Sioux Falls 71-65, before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 75-62.

As a team, WSU is averaging 77.1 points and 34.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.6% from the field and 37.5% from three point range. The Warriors have passed out 135 assists and have forced 134 turnovers.

Luke Haertle is averaging 18.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while Jhei-R Jones has tallied 13.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Isaiah Thompson has tallied 11.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game also.

Todd Eisner is in his 10th season as head coach at Winona State and 27th season overall. He owns a 144-110 (.567) record at WSU and a 560-276 (.670) career record.