MANKATO, Minn. --- #4 Minnesota State wraps up its regular season schedule at home this weekend as it faces Minnesota Crookston on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Bemidji State 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 1,438-947 (.602) in 2,385 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 228-106 (.682) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks have won at least a share of the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship and can win it outright with a win over Minnesota Crookston or Bemidji State this weekend. It marks their first NSIC Championship since the 2013-14 season. 

Against the Golden Eagles: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston marks their 29th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 27-1. The Mavericks have won their last three meetings against UMC, including a 101-64 win on the road earlier this season.

Junior Kyreese Willingham notched 17 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Malcolm Jones tallied 14 points and six rebounds. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp tallied 13 points as well.

Blaize Sagna notched 17 points and four rebounds, while Jordan Mitchell tallied nine points and seven rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 23-11 record against Minnesota Crookston, including a 12-0 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 114th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 75-38. The Mavericks defeated the Beavers 94-92 in overtime earlier this season on the road.

Senior Malik Willingham tallied a game-high 28 points, while junior Justin Eagins notched 16 points and six assists. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp added 12 points and nine rebounds also.

BJ Davis tallied 22 points and five assists while John Sutherland posted 21 points and eight rebounds. Tate Olson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 17-7 record against Bemidji State, including a 9-5 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 24-2 record, including an 18-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Northern State 85-83 on the road to maintain their spot atop the NSIC standings.

As a team, MSU is averaging 87.7 points and 39.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.3% from the field and 37.6% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 403 assists and have forced 301 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 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 12.3 points a game also and has connected on 59 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 10.5 points and 5.3 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 477-211 (.693).

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 6-20 overall record, including a 3-17 NSIC record. UMC has lost its last six games, including a pair of home losses to Augustana (93-73) and Wayne State (74-59).

As a unit, Minnesota Crookston is averaging 65.1 points and 33.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.9% from the field and 33.4% from three point range. The Golden Eagles have passed out 237 assists and have forced 228 turnovers.

Blaize Sagna is averaging 21.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season, while Reid Grant has tallied 14.2 points and 3.3 assists a game. Aguek Deng is averaging 6.1 points and 7.6 rebounds points per game also.

Minnesota Crookston is coached by Bryan Beamish who is in his second season as head coach of the Golden Eagles. He owns an 8-46 record.

Concerning  the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 13-13 record, including a 9-11 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, BSU defeated Sioux Falls 76-69 before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 63-56.

As a unit, the Beavers are averaging 77.0 points and 39.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field and 32.8% from three point range. BSU has passed out 418 assists and has forced 248 turnovers.

John Sutherland is averaging 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, while Dalton Albrecht has tallied 16.7 points and 10.3 rebounds a game. BJ Davis has recorded 9.3 points per game and leads the team in three pointers made with 44.

Bemidji State is coached by Mike Boschee who is in his 12th season at BSU and 21st season overall. He owns a 148-172 record with the Beavers and a 263-287 overall record.