MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Friday as it travels to Aberdeen ,S.D. to take on the Northern State Wolves. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Wachs Arena

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,460-955 (.604) in 2,415 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 238-120 (.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 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 Wolves: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their marks their 35th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 19-15. The Mavericks won both of their meetings last season, including an 81-66 win at home and an 85-83 win on the road.

Senior Justin Eagins averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game against the Wolves last season. Senior Kyreese Willingham recorded 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game against NSU also.

Michael Nhial tallied 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game against MSU last season.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 12-12 record against Northern State, including a 4-6 road record.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 12-8 record, including an 8-4 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, MSU defeated MSU Moorhead 90-88, before falling to St. Cloud State 80-75.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.9 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.8% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 294 assists and forced 216 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 16.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 15.2 points and 5.0 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 12.3 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.5 points and 6.3 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 500-219 (.695). and is one of 18 active NCAA men's basketball DII coaches with 500 career wins. 

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters weekend the owner of a 1-17 record, including a 0-12 NSIC record. The Wolves have lost their last 14 games, including a pair of road losses against Southwest Minnesota State (79-60) and Sioux Falls (81-71) last weekend.

As a team, NSU is averaging 66.3 points and 32.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.7% from the field and 34.9% from three point range. The Wolves have passed out 225 assists and have forced 211 turnovers.

James Glenn is averaging 13.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and is leading the team in three pointers made with 43. Marcus Burks is averaging 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as well, while Kwat Abdelkarim has tallied 9.2 points per game.

Northern State is coached by Saul Phillips who is in his sixth season as head coach of the Wolves and 18th season overall. He owns a 100-63 (.613) record at NSU and a 315-224 (.584) career record.