MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State will finish its regular season schedule on the road this weekend as it heads north to face St. Cloud State on Friday at 5:30 p.m., and MSU Moorhead on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,466-957 (.605) in 2,423 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 244-122 (.667) 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.

Where We Stand: With its 14-6 NSIC record, Minnesota State finds itself in a five way tie for first place in the NSIC standings with Concordia-St. Paul, Southwest Minnesota State, Winona State and St. Cloud State. Minnesota Duluth and MSU Moorhead are following right behind with 13-7 conference records.

The top four seeds will receive byes in the first round of the NSIC Tournament. Seeds 5-8 will host first-round NSIC Tournament games on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Should MSU win both of its games it will win at least a share of the NSIC regular season championship.

Friday's Schedule
Concordia-St. Paul at Bemidji State
Southwest Minnesota State at UMary
Winona State at MSU Moorhead
Minnesota State at St. Cloud State
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota Crookston

Saturday's Schedule
Winona State at St. Cloud State
Minnesota State at MSU Moorhead
Concordia-St. Paul at Minnesota Crookston
Minnesota Duluth at Bemidji State
Southwest Minnesota State at Northern State
  
Against the Huskies: Friday's meeting between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks their 193rd all-time meeting with the series tied 96-96. Earlier this season, SCSU defeated MSU 80-75 at Taylor Center.

Senior Justin Eagins recorded 18 points and nine assists, while sophomore Caden Kirkman tallied a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kyreese Willingham added 13 points as well.

Luke Winkel led the Huskies with 23 points, while Wyatt Hawks tallied 13 points and eight rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-19 record against St. Cloud State, including an 11-9 record at Halenbeck Hall.

Against the Dragons: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 105th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 69-35. The Mavericks have won their last three games against the Dragons, including a 90-88 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

Senior Justin Eagins led the Mavericks with 34 points and seven assists, while senior Harrison Braudis notched 19 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Caden Kirkman posted 11 points and six rebounds also.

Carson Johnson notched 18 points and five rebounds for the Dragons, while JaMir Price tallied 18 points and eight assists. Logan Kinsey added 17 points as well.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-8 record against the Dragons, including a 4-5 record at Nemzek Fieldhouse.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 18-10 record, including a 14-6 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, MSU defeated Minot State (96-91) and UMary (85-73).

As a team, MSU is averaging 79.4 points and 37.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.1% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 397 assists and forced 326 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 19.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 15.7 points and 5.0 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 10.4 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.4 points and 6.1 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 506-221 (.696). 

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters weekend the owner of an 18-10 record, including a 14-6 NSIC record. The Huskies have won their last four games, including a pair of road wins at Wayne State (65-53) and Augustana (72-62) last weekend.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 76.9 points and 35.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.1% from three point range. The Huskies have passed out 339 assists and have forced 370 turnovers.

Luke Winkel is averaging 13.1 points and 3.8 assists per game, while Nate Dahl has posted 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Lucas Morgan has tallied 11.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game also.

St. Cloud State is coached by Quincy Henderson, who is in his third season as head coach with the Huskies. He owns a 40-45 (.471) record.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters weekend the owner of an 18-8 record, including a 13-7 NSIC record. The Dragons have won their last six games, including a pair of road wins at Minnesota Duluth (68-67) and Concordia-St. Paul (92-85) last weekend. 

As a team, MSUM is averaging 76.2 points and 36.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 38.8% from three point range. The Dragons have passed out 311 assists and have forced 227 turnovers.

Carson Johnson is averaging 19.6 points and 3.4 assists per game, while Jacob Beeninga has tallied 16.8 points a game. Logan Kinsey has posted 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds a game also.

MSU Moorhead  is coach by Tim Bergstraser, who is in his third season with the Dragons. He owns a 68-21 (.764) career record.