MANKATO, Minn. --- #5 Minnesota State returns home to Taylor Center this weekend as it takes on Wayne State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Augustana 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 1,435-947 (.602) in 2,382 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 225-106 (.679) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Wildcats: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 40th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 33-6. MSU has won its last four outings against WSC, including a 110-77 road win earlier this season.

Junior Justin Eagins led the Mavericks with 24 points, while senior Malik Willingham added 21 points and six assists. Junior Harrison Braudis added 16 points as well.

Trey Deveaux led the Wildcats with 27 points, while both Alec Millender and Cody McCullough posted 12 points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 28-4 record against Wayne State, including a 13-2 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Vikings: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 131st all-time meeting with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 68-62. MSU won their most recent meeting by the score of 85-72 in Sioux Falls.

Junior Justin Eagins notched 25 points and three assists, while junior Kyreese Willingham tallied 23 points and nine rebounds. Senior Malik Willingham notched 19 points as well.

Isaac Fink recorded 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Caden Hinker posted 14 points. 

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 28-21 record against Augustana, including a 15-9 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 21-2 record, including a 15-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Southwest Minnesota State (68-58) and Sioux Falls (70-65) on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 88.1 points and 39.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 37.2% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 358 assists and have forced 271 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 12.9 points a game also and has connected on 53 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 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 474-211 (.691).

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the week the owner of a 13-10 overall record, including a 6-10 NSIC record. Last week at home, WSC bested Concordia-St. Paul 79-57, before falling to Minnesota Duluth 79-78 in overtime.

As a unit, WSC is averaging 75.1 points and 34.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.7% from the field and 35.5% from three point range. The Wildcats have passed out 283 assists and have forced 291 turnovers.

Trey Deveaux is averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season, while Alex Millender has tallied 13.3 points and 3.2 assists per game. David Harmon is averaging 11.6 points and 2.3 rebounds a game also, while Cody McCullough has posted 8.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per a game.

Wayne State is coached by Jeff Kaminsky who is in his eighth season with the Wildcats and 30th overall season. He owns a 111-109 record at Wayne State and a 410-416 overall record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the week the owner of a 14-8 record, including a 9-7 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, AU fell to Minnesota Duluth 78-72, before besting Concordia-St. Paul 92-87.

The Vikings are averaging 80.2 points and 37.0 rebounds per game this season while shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.4% from three point range. AU has passed out 301 assists and has forced 261 turnovers.

Isaac Fink is averaging 19.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Jaden Graves has tallied 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game. Arham Lewis is averaging 8.9 points and 3.1 assists a game also.

Augustana is coached by Tom Billeter who is in his 21st season as head coach of the Vikings and 26th overall season. He owns a 388-221 record at Augustana and a 485-271 overall record.