MANKATO, Minn. --- #2 Minnesota State wraps up its three-game road trip this weekend as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Sioux Falls on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,433-947 (.602) in 2,380 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 223-106 (.677) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Mustangs: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 71st meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 49-21. MSU won their earlier match up this season at Taylor Center by the score of 93-89.

Senior Malik Willingham led the Mavericks with 27 points and five assists, while graduate student Dylan Peeters recorded 17 points. Junior Justin Eagins and Kyreese Willingham recorded 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Jake Phipps led the Mustangs with 19 points and six rebounds, while Aeron Stevens recorded 18 points and six rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 28-15 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including an 11-8 road record.

Against the Cougars: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 33rd all-time meeting with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 24-8. MSU has won its last two games against USF, including an 87-76 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

Senior Malik Willingham tallied 20 points, while graduate student Dylan Peeters recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Justin Eagins recorded 17 points also.

Jack Thompson posted 22 points and five assists, while Shawn Warrior notched 20 points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 20-7 record against Sioux Falls, including a 7-4 road record.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 19-2 record, including a 13-2 NSIC record. Last week, MSU defeated St. Cloud State (88-67) and MSU Moorhead (81-78) at home before falling to Minnesota Duluth (85-70) on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 89.9 points and 40.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.2% from the field and 37.7% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 336 assists and have forced 243 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 13.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 13.5 points a game also and has connected on 51 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds a game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 23rd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 472-211 (.691).

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 12-8 overall record, including a 9-5 NSIC record. SMSU has won its last three games, including a pair of wins at home against UMary (83-51) and Northern State (80-46) last weekend.

As a unit, SMSU is averaging 74.9 points and 34.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field and 35.5% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 279 assists and have forced 208 turnovers.

Jake Phipps is averaging 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season, while Aeron Stevens has tallied 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Cliff Cofield is averaging 12.4 points and 3.9 assists a game also, while Dunwa Omot has posted 11.1 points a game.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler who is in his 15th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 233-185 record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the week the owner of an 11-9 record, including an 8-6 NSIC record. USF has won its last four games, including a pair of home wins against Northern State (82-76) and UMary (81-56) last weekend.

The Cougars are averaging 74.6 points and 37.9 rebounds per game this season while shooting 43.6% from the field and 36.5% from three point range. USF has passed out 297 assists and has forced 229 turnovers.

Jack Thompson is averaging 15.4 points and 4.3 assists per game, while Shawn Warrior has tallied 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. Noah Puetz is averaging 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds a game also.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson who is in his 16th season as head coach of the Cougars and 17th overall season. He owns a 263-189 record with the Cougars and a 279-204 overall record.