MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins a four-game homestand this weekend in Taylor Center as the Mavericks host Minnesota Duluth on Friday at 5:30 p.m., and Bemidji State on Saturday at 3:30 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 1,477-968 (.604) in 2,445 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 248-130 (.656) 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 Bulldogs: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 86th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 48-37 record against the Bulldogs. Last season, UMD won their only meeting 75-74 in Duluth back on Feb. 11, 2025.

Sophomore Will Opsahl tallied 14 points and four rebounds, while junior Caden Kirkman notched eight points.

Nick Katona posted 10 points and two blocks for the Bulldogs, while Matt Thompson tallied seven points and six rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 24-10 record against Minnesota Duluth, including a 15-3 record at Taylor Center

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 116th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 77-38. The Mavericks have won their last three meeting against the Beavers, including an 83-60 home win in their only meeting last season.

Senior Chase Bartlett posted 12 points and three rebounds, while sophomore Carson Schweim tallied 11 points and four rebounds.

John Pecarich notched 16 points and two assists for the Beavers, while Tate Olson notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-7 record against Bemidji State, including an 11-5 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 9-9 record, including a 3-7 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU defeated UMary (68-65) and Minot State (72-67) on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 75.9 points and 37.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.1% from the field and 29.8% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 210 assists and have forced 209 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 13.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 12.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson has tallied 9.3 points a game, including a team-leading 28 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 517-232 (.690). 

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the owner of a 10-6 record, including a 6-4 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, UMD fell to both Sioux Falls (93-89) and Southwest Minnesota State (71-62).

As a team, UMD is averaging 76.3 points and 36.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 31.3% from three point range. The Bulldogs have passed out 158 assists and have forced 201 turnovers.

Caleb Siwek leads UMD with 14.7 points per game and in three pointers with 25. Noah Paulson has tallied 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game also, while Cole Hanson has notched 11.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Minnesota Duluth is coached Justin Wieck who is in his eight season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He owns a 152-64 (.704), including a 5-4 (.555) record against Minnesota State.

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji enters the weekend the owner of a 6-9 overall record, including a 3-7 NSIC record. BSU has lost its last four games, including a pair of home losses to Southwest Minnesota State (85-55) and Sioux Falls (97-94) last weekend.

As a team, BSU is averaging 82.4 points and 36.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.2% from the field and 38.7% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 192 assists and have forced 138 turnovers.

John Pecarich leads BSU with 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Henry Shannon III has tallied 18.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as well, while Eddie Jallow Hedqvist has notched 10. 4 points per game.

Bemidji State is coached Mike Boschee who is in his 14th season as head coach of the Beavers and his 23rd overall season. He owns a 164-203 (.447) record at BSU and a 279-318 (.467) career record. Against the Mavericks, Boschee owns a 5-13 (.277) record.