MANKATO, Minn. --- #2 Minnesota State has advanced to the NCAA Championship Game for the first time in program history where it will take on #1 Nova Southeastern on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (CST) at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. The game will air on CBS.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,448-947 (.604) in 2,395 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 is MSU's second trip the NCAA Elite under head coach Matt Margenthaler. MSU owns a 23-15 record in NCAA Tournament action, including wins against Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55), Northwest Missouri State (43-42), Ferris State (98-70) and West Texas A&M (79-72) this season. 

Against the Sharks: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Nova Southeastern marks their first ever meeting between them.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters Saturday's game the owner of a 34-2 record. The Mavericks defeated West Texas A&M in the NCAA Final Four 79-72 and have now won their last 15 games.

As a team, MSU is averaging 84.8 points and 38.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.0% from the field and 38.0% from three point range. The Mavericks have also passed out 543 assists and have forced 413 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 14.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Junior Justin Eagins is averaging 12.5 points a game also and has connected on 81 three pointers. Graduate student Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 9.7 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 487-211 (.697).

Concerning the Sharks: Nova Southeastern enters Saturday the owner of a 32-2 record, including a 91-77 win over Cal State San Bernardino in the NCAA Final Four. NSU has won its last 20 games.

NSU is averaging 100.4 points and 43.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.0% from the field and 37.1% from three point range. The Sharks have passed out 642 assists and have forced 781 turnovers.

Shane Hunter is averaging 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Isaiah Fuller has notched 13.1 points and 3.3 assists a game. MJ Iraldi has tallied 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while GianFranco Grafals has tallied 10.4 points a game. Trey Doomes has recorded 10.2 points per game also.  

Nova Southeastern is coached by Jim Crutchfield who is in his sixth season with the Sharks and 19th overall season. He owns a 168-23 record at NSU and a 527-84 overall 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.

Rewriting the Record Book: Minnesota State has established single-season highs in several team categories this season.

Scoring - 3,053 points
Field Goals Made - 1,126
Field Goals Attempted - 2,299
3pt Field Goals - 328
3pt Field Goals Attempted - 863
Most Games Played - 36
Wins in a Season - 34