MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State wraps up its four-game homestand at Taylor Center this weekend as it hosts MSU Moorhead on Friday at 5:30 p.m., before taking on St. Cloud State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,459-954 (.604) in 2,413 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 237-119 (.665) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and three tournament championships.

The Mavericks won the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship with an 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marked 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.

After defeating Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42) in the 2024 NCAA Central Region Tournament, Minnesota State advanced to its second NCAA Elite Eight under head coach Matt Margenthaler. Wins over Ferris State (98-70) and West Texas A&M (79-72) saw the Mavericks reach the NCAA Championship game for the first time in team history. MSU would go on to defeat Nova Southeastern 88-85, including the game-winning three pointer from senior Kyreese Willingham with 0.8 remaining, to win its first NCAA DII Championship in team history.
  
Against the Dragons: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their marks their 104th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 68-35. The Mavericks won both of their meetings last season, including a 78-55 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Kyreese Willingham tallied 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against the Dragons last season, while senior Justin Eagins recorded 14.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game.

JaMir Price averaged 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Logan Kinsley tallied 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 17-8 record against MSU Moorhead, including a 12-1 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Huskies: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State will be their 192nd all-time meeting. Minnesota State leads the series 96-95, including a pair of wins (78-61 on road & 88-67 at home) last season.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 20.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game against the Huskies last season, while senior Justin Eagins notched 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Junior Malcolm Jones tallied 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds a game vs. SCSU as well.

Nate Dahl recorded 7.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game against MSU last season, while Lucas Morgan tallied 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-18 record against St. Cloud State, including a 14-9 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 11-7 record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, MSU bested Bemidji State (83-60) and Minnesota Crookston (90-63).

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.4 points and 38.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.1% from the field and 35.7% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 269 assists and forced 200 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 13.7 points and 4.6 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 12.2 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 499-218 (.695). 

Should MSU pick up a win this weekend, Margenthaler will become the 18th active NCAA DII men's basketball coach with 500 career wins. He will also become the 49th or 50th active NCAA men's basketball coach across all divisions to reach 500 career wins. Note: Virginia Wesleyan head coach David Macedo has 499 career wins and Virginia Wesleyan plays Guilford College on Wednesday.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters weekend the owner of a 10-6 record, including a 5-5 NSIC record. The Dragons have lost their last four games, including losses to Southwest Minnesota State (59-53) and Sioux Falls (81-76) on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSUM is averaging 71.3 points and 36.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 35.9% from three point range. The Dragons have passed out 178 assists and have forced 138 turnovers.

Carson Johnson has averaged 19.4 points and 3.4 rebounds through five games this season, Jacob Beeninga has tallied 17.7 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. Jacob Jennissen has notched 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game also.

MSU Moorhead is coached by Tim Bergstraser who is in his third season as head coach of the Dragons. He owns a 60-19 (.759) career record.

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-8 record, including a 6-4 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, SCSU defeated Concordia-St. Paul 93-89, before falling to Minnesota Duluth 66-58.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 75.3 points and 35.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.7% from the field and 34.2% from three point range. The Huskies have passed out 188 assists and have forced 235 turnovers.

Nate Dahl is averaging 13.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this season, while Luke Winkel has tallied 11.9 points and 2.9 assists per game. Wyatt Hawks is averaging 10.2 points per game also.

Quicny Henderson is in his third season as head coach at St. Cloud State. He owns a 32-43 (.427) career record.