MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season with three games in the upcoming week. MSU will travel to Pittsburg, Kan., to take part in the Central Region Challenge from Nov. 14-15. The Mavericks will face Central Missouri on Friday at 3:00 p.m., before facing Henderson State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Minnesota State will then host Crown College in its home opener on Monday with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. at Taylor Center.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,469-960 (.604) in 2,429 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 245-123 (.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. The Mavericks would go on to win their first NCAA Championship as they defeated Nova Southeastern 88-85 in the NCAA Championship game.

Preseason NSIC Notes: Minnesota State was picked to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll this season. The Mavericks were also picked to finish third in the NSIC south division. Southwest Minnesota State was picked to finish first in the overall poll and in the south division poll, while St. Cloud State was picked to finish second in both.

Maverick senior Malcolm Jones was named MSU's Player to Watch for the upcoming season.

Last season, Jones played in 30 games and averaged 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 51% from the field. In MSU's road game against Southwest Minnesota State last season, Jones notched 13 points and eight rebounds.

Against the Mules: Friday's meeting game between Minnesota State and Central Missouri marks their second all-time meeting with UCM winning their previous meeting 67-66 back on Nov. 14, 2014 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 0-1 record against Central Missouri.

Against the Reddies: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Henderson State marks their third all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 2-0. The Mavericks bested HSU 84-64 in the most recent meeting back on Nov. 12, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 1-0 record against Henderson State.

Against the Polars: Monday's game between Minnesota State and Crown College marks their third all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 2-0.

MSU defeated CC 117-60 in their most recent meeting back on Nov. 23, 2019, at Taylor Center.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 2-0 record against Crown College, including a 2-0 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-1 record. Last weekend, MSU defeated Northwest Missouri State 71-49, before falling to Pittsburg State 75-53.

As a team, MSU is averaging 62.0 points and 44.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.7% from the field and 20.8% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 18 assists and have forced 22 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 17.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this season. Junior Caden Kirkman has notched 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while freshman Colton Benson has tallied 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds a game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 509-224 (.694). 

Concerning the Mules: Central Missouri enters the week the owner of a 2-1 record. Last weekend, the Mules bested Colorado School of Mines 96-84 and New Mexico Highlands 78-74, but fell to Montana State-Billings 80-75.

As a team, UCM is averaging 83.0 points and 32.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 33.3% from three point range. The Mules have passed out 49 assists and have forced 47 turnovers.

Lazerek Houston leads the Mules with 27.7 points and 5.6 assists per game this season. Jevon Hill has posted 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game also, while Kyran Tilley has tallied 10.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Central Missouri is coached by Adam Bohac who is in his third season as head coach of the Mules and 18th season overall. He owns a 28-30 (.483) record at UCM and a 340-176 (.659) career record. Bohac previously served as the head coach at Southern Nazarene for 15 seasons.

Concerning the Reddies: Henderson State finished its 2024-25 season with a 17-13 record, including a 12-10 GAC record. In the GAC Tournament last season, HSU defeated Oklahoma Baptist 76-70, before falling to Southern Nazarene 69-45.

As a team, HSU averaged 76.9 points and 35.5 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 47.3% from the field and 32.0% from three point range. The Reddies passed out 348 assists and forced 426 turnovers.

Deazhon Perkins averaged 10.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game last season. Xavier Owens notched 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as well.

Henderson State is coached by Jimmy Elgas who is in his 11th season as head coach of the Reddies. He owns a 149-132 (.530) career record.

Concerning the Polars: Crown College enters the week the owner of a 1-0 record. This past weekend, the Polars defeated Oak Hills Christian College 71-69.

As a team, CC is averaging 71.0 points and 54.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 33.8% from the field and 26.7% from three point range. The Polars have passed out 19 assists and have committed 13 turnovers.

Anthony Knight is averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while Levi Royston has tallied 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. Colby Deluce has notched 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds a game also.

Crown is coached by Luke Herbert who is in his 16th season as head coach of the Polars. He owns a 167-225 (.426) career record.