MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team begins its NSIC schedule on the road this weekend as it travels to Wayne State on Friday, before finishing the weekend on Saturday at Augustana. Tip-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,452-951 (.604) in 2,403 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: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their marks their 41st all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 34-6. MSU has won its last five meetings against WSC, including a pair of wins (79-63 at home & 110-77 on road) last season.

Senior Justin Eagins averaged 16.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game against the Wildcats last season, while Kyreese Willingham notched 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Cody McCullough posted 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while JJ Ferin tallied 10.0 points per game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 29-4 record against the Wildcats, including a 14-2 record at Rice Auditorium. 

Against the Vikings: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana will be their 132nd all-time meeting. MSU leads the series with a 69-62 record, including a pair of wins (85-72 on the road & 89-81 at home) last season.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins tallied 14.0 points and 2.0 rebounds a game against the Vikings.

Caden Hinker tallied 12.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 29-21 record against AU, including an 11-11 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-4 record. Last weekend in Sioux Falls, the Mavericks bested Jamestown 85-80 and Truman State 95-64.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.5 points and 40.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field and 32.8% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 127 assists and forced 85 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 12.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 10.9 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 11.0 points and 6.3 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 492-215 (.695).

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-1 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. Last week, WSC fell to Southwest Minnesota State 76-56 on the road, before defeating Clarke (Iowa) 106-46 at home.

As a team, WSC is averaging 78.6 points and 37.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.2% from three point range. The Wildcats have passed out 113 assists and have forced 94 turnovers.

JJ Ferrin is averaging 12.0 points and 2.7 assists per game and leads the team in three pointers made with 16. Matt Noll has tallied 12.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Cody McCullough has notched 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

The Wildcats are coach by Jeff Kaminsky who is in his ninth season at Wayne State and 31st season overall. He owns a 120-114 (.513) record at WSC and a 419-421 (.499) career record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 3-4 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. Last weekend, AU fell to both Truman State (74-65) and Jamestown (75-70) at home.

As a team, AU is averaging 66.6 points and 32.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.9% from the field and 31.2% from three point range. The Vikings have passed out 82 assists and have forced 102 turnovers.

Akoi Akoi is averaging 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Sam Rensch has tallied 13.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Tanner Te Slaa is averaging 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game also.

Cody Schilling is in his first season as head coach at Augustana. He owns a 3-4 record at AU and a 13-52 career record.