MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State returns home for a pair of games this week as it hosts St. Cloud State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. to open its NSIC schedule, before taking on the Waldorf Warriors on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,473-961 (.605) in 2,434 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 Huskies: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks their 195th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 98-96. MSU went 2-1 against SCSU last season, including a 78-72 win in the second round of the NSIC Tournament last season.

Junior Kaden Kirkman notched eight points and seven rebounds, while senior David Harmon notched nine points and five steals.

Luke Winkel tallied 20 points and five rebounds for the Huskies, while Nate Dahl tallied 17 points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 29-19 record against St. Cloud State, including a 15-9 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Waldorf marks their 14th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 12-1. The Mavericks won their most recent game vs. the Warriors 113-55 back on Nov. 24, 2023.

Junior Will Opsahl tallied seven points against Waldorf, while senior Malcolm Jones posted six points and nine rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 7-0 record against Waldorf, including a 7-0 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-2 record. Last weekend at the USF Classic, MSU fell to Grand Valley State 76-55, before besting Chadron State 81-52.

As a team, MSU is averaging 77.1 points and 42.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.6% from the field and 30.9% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 94 assists and have forced 83 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 10.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 11.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Junior Arhman Lewis is posting 10.4 points and 3.7 assists a game, while freshman Colton Benson has tallied 9.6 points a game, including a team-leading 15 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 513-225 (.695). 

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the week the owner of a 1-3 record. Last weekend in Duluth, the Huskies bested Cake Superior State 90-84, before falling to Michigan Tech 63-59.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 68.8 points and 42.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 37.4% from the field and 20.2% from three point range. The Huskies have passed out 30 assists and have forced 45 turnovers.

Luke Winkel leads the Huskies with 17.0 points per game this season, while Bob Griechen has tallied 14.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Wyatt Hawks has posted 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Grand Valley State is coached by Quincy Henderson who is in his fourth season as head coach of the Huskies. He owns a 43-50 (.462) career record.

Concerning the Warriors: Waldorf enters the week the owner of a 3-6 record. Last week, WU fell to Briar Cliff 92-74. The Warriors will take on Morningside on Tuesday.

As a team, WU is averaging 80.9 points and 36.8 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 28.4% from three point range. The Warriors have passed out 16.3 assists a game and forced 14.9 turnovers a game.

Connor Aldridge is averaging 18.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Nick Graves has tallied 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Krys Watley has notched 12.4 points per game also.

Waldorf is coached by Michael Wirth who is in his first season as head coach at Waldorf. He owns a 3-6 record.