MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State resumes NSIC action this week as it takes on both Winona State and #21 Concordia-St. Paul. The Mavericks will travel to WSU on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. game, before finishing the week at home against CSP on Saturday at 1:00 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 1,474-962 (.605) in 2,436 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 245-124 (.663) 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.

Against the Warriors: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 152nd all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 96-55. Last season, MSU went 1-1 against the Warriors, with both teams winning their home games.

Junior Kaden Kirkman tallied 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors last season, while sophomore Will Opsahl tallied 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Tyler Mason tallied 11.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Nick Taylor posted 6.0 point and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 22-25 record against Winona State, including a 9-13 record at McCown Gymnasium.

Against the Golden Bears: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 45th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 37-7. The Mavericks went 1-1 against the Golden Bears last season with each team winning their home game.

Junior Caden Kirkman averaged 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Golden Bears last season, while senior David Harmon added 9.0 points per game.

Ben Kopetzki averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Reid Patterson added 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 35-6 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including an 18-2 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 6-3 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. Last week, MSU fell to St. Cloud State 73-53, before besting Waldorf 119-80.

As a team, MSU is averaging 79.1 points and 42.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.7% from the field and 30.7% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 121 assists and have forced 105 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 10.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 11.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Junior Arhman Lewis is posting 10.7 points and 3.5 assists a game, while freshman Colton Benson has tallied 8.8 points a game, including a team-leading 16 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 514-226 (.694). 

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the week the owner of a 1-5 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. WSU has lost its last five games, including a pair of losses to Florida Southern (88-77) and Saint Leo (81-54) last weekend.

As a team, WSU is averaging 62.7 points and 30.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.4% from the field and 26.9% from three point range. The Warriors have passed out 75 assists and have forced 66 turnovers.

Ryan Heise is posting 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Gavyn Hurley has tallied 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Tyler Mason has notched 9.5 points and 3.1 assists a game also.

Winona State is coached Todd Eisner who is in his 11th season as head coach of the Warriors and 28th overall season. He owns a 159-123 (.564) record at WSU and a 575-289 (.667) career record. Eisner owns a 9-10 (.450) record against Minnesota State

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the week the owner of a 6-1 record, including a 1-0 NSIC record. Last weekend, CSP defeated Jamestown (73-71) and MSU Moorhead (111-108 OT) in nonconference games at home.

As a team, CSP is averaging 86.3 points and 38.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 39.6% from three point range. The Golden Bears have passed out 108 assists and have forced 118 turnovers.

Ben Kopetzki is averaging 20.4 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, while Owen Carlson has notched 15.9 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Sam West has posted 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game also.

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Matt Fletcher who is in his sixth season as head coach of the Golden Bears and 10th overall season. He owns a 50-86 (.368) record at CSP and a 126-119 (.514) career record. Fletcher own a 1-8 (.111) record against Minnesota State.