MANKATO, Minn. --- #2 Minnesota State has advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in program history and will take on Ferris State on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,446-947 (.604) in 2,393 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 its 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marks 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.

This will be MSU's second trip the NCAA Elite under head coach Matt Margenthaler. MSU owns a 21-15 record in NCAA Tournament action, including wins against Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42) in the first three rounds this season. 

Against the Bulldogs: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and Ferris State marks their second ever meeting, with MSU winning their only encounter 74-73 at Otto Arena in Mankato, Minn. during the 1992-93 season.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 32-2 record. Minnesota State won the NCAA Central Region Tournament with wins over Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42). The Mavericks have won their last 13 games. 

As a team, MSU is averaging 84.6 points and 38.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.5% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 503 assists and have forced 394 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 14.5 points and 5.4 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 12.5 points a game also and has connected on 75 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds a game also, while connecting on the game-winning shot vs. Northwest Missouri State as time expired..

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 23rd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 485-211 (.696).

Concerning the Bulldogs: Ferris State enters the Elite Eight with a 28-7 record, including wins in its last nine games. The Bulldogs defeated Northern Michigan (81-65), Indianapolis (94-87) and Lake Superior State (86-81) to win the NCAA Midwest Region Championship in Indianapolis.

FSU is averaging 85.3 points and 37.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.5% from three point range. The Bulldogs have passed out 705 assists and have forced 462 turnovers.

Ethan Erickson is averaging 15.0 points a game and leads the team in three pointers made with 115. Ben Davidson is posting 13.8 points and 2.6 assists a game, while Dolapo Olayinka has tallied 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. DeSean Munson is averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds a game also.

Ferris State is coached by Andy Bronkema who is in his 11th season at FSU. He owns a 254-95 record.

All-NSIC Honors: Five Mavericks claimed NSIC honors for their efforts during the 2023-24 season. Senior Malik Willingham was named the NSIC Player of the Year and All-NSIC First Team. 

Junior Kyreese Willingham was named to the All-NSIC First Team, while both junior Justin Eagins and graduate student Dylan Peeters were named to the All-NSIC Second Team.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler was named the NSIC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career.

NSIC All-Tournament Team: Minnesota State won it's third NSIC Tournament championship with its 97-77 win over Minnesota Duluth. Kyreese Willingham and Justin Eagins were named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team, Malik Willingham was named the NSIC Tournament MVP.

NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team: Minnesota State won its second NCAA Central Region Championship with  its 43-42 win over Northwest Missouri State. Malik Willingham and Elijah Hazekamp were named to the Central Region All-Tournament Team, while Kyreese Willingham was named the Central Region Tournament MVP.