MANKATO, Minn. --- With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Minnesota State men's basketball team will look to work its way up NSIC standings as it battles Wayne State and Sioux Falls. The Mavericks will host the Wildcats in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off on Thursday at Taylor Center, before traveling to Sioux Falls on Saturday to take on the Cougars 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 1,462-956 (.604) in 2,418 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 240-121 (.664) 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 Wildcats: Thursday's meeting between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 42nd all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 35-6. The Mavericks have won their last six games against the Wildcats, including a 64-61 win on the road earlier this season.

Senior Harrison Braudis notched 18 points, while senior Kyreese Willingham recorded 14 points and three blocks. Senior Justin Eagins tallied 12 points also, while sophomore Caden Kirkman added eight points and seven rebounds.

Cody McCullough notched a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Sean Stokes also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 steals. Matt Noll added 10 points also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 30-4 record against Wayne State, including a 14-2 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Cougars: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 36th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 27-8. MSU has won its last five games against USF, including an 82-79 win at home earlier this season.

Senior Kyreese Willingham notched a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Justin Eagins added 20 points and seven assists. Senior Harrison Braudis tallied 15 points also, while sophomore Caden Kirkman tallied 14 points.

Creighton Morisch notched a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds for USF, while Taylen Ashley tallied 23 points and four assists. Kyle Ingwerson posted 18 points and seven rebounds also.

Head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 23-7 record against Sioux Falls, including an 8-4 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 14-9 record, including a 10-5 NSIC record. Last week on the road, MSU fell to Concordia-St. Paul 93-71 on the road before defeating Winona State 76-52 at home.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.7 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.9% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 340 assists and forced 262 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 14.2 points and 5.1 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 11.4 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.7 points and 6.4 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 502-220 (.695). 

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters week the owner of a 14-8 record, including an 8-8 NSIC record. Last week WSC fell to Sioux Falls 78-68 at home, before defeating Augustana 54-48 on the road.

As a team, WSC is averaging 72.6 points and 32.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field and 33.5% from three point range. The Wildcats have passed out 282 assists and have forced 313 turnovers.

Matt Noll leads the Wildcats with 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Cody McCullough is averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while JJ Ferrin has notched 11.8 points point game, including a team-leading 50 three pointers.

Wayne State is coach by Jeff Kaminsky, who is in his ninth season with the Wildcats and 31st season overall. He owns a 128-121 (.514) record at WSC and a 427-428 (.499) career record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the week the owner of a 12-10 record, including an 8-8 NSIC record. Last week, USF defeated Wayne State 78-68 on the road, before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 88-81 at home.

As a team, USF is averaging 76.3 points and 39.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 37.3% from three point range. The Cougars have passed out 362 assists and have forced 229 turnovers.

Creighton Morisch is averaging 13.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season, while Taylen Ashley has recorded 13.0 points per game, while connecting on 43 three pointers. Noah Puetz has notched 12.9 points per game, while Kyle Ingwerson has notched 10.6 points and a team-leading 46 three pointers.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson, who is in 17 season with the Cougars and 18th season overall. He owns a 279-208 (.573) record with the Cougars and a 295-223 (.569) career record.