MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season this week with a pair of games against Concordia-St. Paul and Winona State. MSU will travel to St. Paul on Thursday to take on the Golden Bears at 5:30 p.m., before returning to Taylor Center on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip-off against the Warriors.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,461-955 (.604) in 2,416 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 239-120 (.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 Golden Bears: Thursday's meeting between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their marks their marks their 44th all-time meeting, with MSU owning a 37-6 record. The Mavericks have won their last 20 games against CSP, including an 84-80 win at home earlier this season.

Senior Justin Eagins notched 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Senior Kyreese Willingham tallied 18 points and five rebounds. Senior Harrison Braudis and sophomore Caden Kirkman each tallied 12 points as well.

Cade Meyer notched 17 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Bears, while Antwan Kimmons posted 16 points and eight rebounds. Ben Kopetzki added 10 points as well.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 35-5 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including a 16-3 road record.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 151st all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 95-55. Earlier this season, WSU defeated the Mavericks 88-75 in Winona.

Senior Justin Eagins recorded 25 points and eight assists, while senior Kyreese Willingham notched 18 points and five rebounds. Freshman Will Opsahl added 13 points also, while sophomore Caden Kirkman tallied 12 points and eight rebounds.

Isaiah Thompson led the Warriors with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Luke Haertle tallied 18 points. Jhei-R Jones added 17 points and five assists also.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 21-25 record against Winona State, including a 10-11 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 13-8 record, including a 9-4 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, MSU defeated Northern State 87-59.

As a team, MSU is averaging 79.2 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.4% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 312 assists and forced 232 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 16.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 15.2 points and 5.3 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 12.1 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 501-219 (.695). 

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters week the owner of a 15-5 record, including a 10-4 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, CSP fell to Minot State 92-78, before defeating UMary 71-65.

As a team, CSP is averaging 86.4 points and 39.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 37.2% from three point range. The Golden Bears have passed out 289 assists and have forced 189 turnovers.

Antwan Kimmons leads the Golden Bears with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Ben Kopetzki is averaging 14.2 points and game and has made 40 three pointers. Marcus Skeete is averaging 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, while Cade Meyer has notched 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.

Concordia-St. Paul is coach by Matt Fletcher, who is in his fifth season with the Golden Bears and ninth season overall. He owns a 37-81 (.314) record at CSP and a 113-114 (.498) career record.

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the week the owner of a 14-6 record, including a 9-5 NSIC record. Last week, Winona State defeated Northern State 74-69 on the road.

As a team, WSU is averaging 78.7 points and 36.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.0% from the field and 34.4% from three point range. The Warriors have passed out 258 assists and have forced 219 turnovers.

Luke Haertle is averaging 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season, while Isaiah Thompson has notched 14.0 points and 9.6 rebounds a game. Connor Drew has notched 13.4 points per game and has made 35 three pointers. 

Winona State is coached by Todd Eisner, who is in 10 season with the Warriors and 27th season overall. He owns a 150-113 (.570) record with the Warriors and a 566-279 (.670) career record.