MANKATO, Minn. --- #5 Minnesota State concludes its regular season road schedule this Saturday as it heads to Aberdeen, S.D. to take on the Northern State Wolves. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Wachs Arena.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,437-947 (.602) in 2,384 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 227-106 (.681) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Wolves: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 34th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 18-15. The Mavericks won their earlier meeting this season at Taylor Center by the score of 81-66.

Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp led the Mavericks with 20 points and eight rebounds, while senior Malik Willingham notched 16 points and six rebounds. Junior Justin Eagins added 13 points and six assists also.

Jacksen Moni notched a double-double for the Wolves as he posted 20 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Dilling recorded 19 points and eight rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 11-12 record against Northern State, including a 3-6 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 23-2 record, including a 17-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Wayne State (79-63) and Augustana (89-81) to maintain their hold of first place in the NSIC standings.

As a team, MSU is averaging 87.8 points and 39.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.2% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 388 assists and have forced 294 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 12.3 points a game also and has connected on 56 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 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 476-211 (.692).

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-14 overall record, including an 8-10 NSIC record. Last week, NSU fell to Bemidji State 86-70 on the road, before defeating Minnesota Crookston 83-68 at home.

As a unit, NSU is averaging 75.6 points and 33.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field and 32.9% from three point range. The Wolves have passed out 288 assists and have forced 223 turnovers.

Jacksen Moni is averaging 21.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season, while Josh Dilling has tallied 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. Augustin Reede is averaging 11.0 points per game and leads the team in three pointers made with 60.

Northern State is coached by Saul Phillips who is in his fifth season with the Wolves and 17th overall season. He owns a 99-41 record at NSU and a 314-202 overall record.