MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State wraps up its four-game homestand this weekend at Taylor Center as it takes on Northern State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Jamestown on Saturday at 5:30 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 1,479-968 (.604) in 2,447 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 250-130 (.657) 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 Wolves: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 36th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 20-15 record against the Wolves. MSU has won its last three meetings against NSU, including their only meeting last season where the Mavericks bested Northern State 87-59 in Aberdeen, S.D.

Junior Caden Kirkman tallied 12 points and five rebounds against NSU, while both senior David Harmon and sophomore Will Opsahl each posted seven points.

Devon Brooke notched 17 points for the Wolves, while James Glenn tallied seven rebounds and six assists.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 13-12 record against Northern State, including a 6-3 record at Taylor Center

Against the Jimmies: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Jamestown marks their fourth all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 3-0. Last season, the Mavericks bested the Jimmies 85-80 in Sioux Falls.

Junior Caden Kirkman recorded 14 points and five rebounds, while sophomore Will Opsahl tallied eight points and six rebounds.

Anthony Walters notched 12 points for the Jimmies, while Cole Galsgow tallied 10 points and four rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 2-0 record against Jamestown, including a 1-0 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 11-9 record, including a 5-7 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU defeated Minnesota Duluth (80-77) and Bemidji State (98-83) in Taylor Center to extend its winning streak to four games.

As a team, MSU is averaging 77.2 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.1% from the field and 32.0% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 240 assists and have forced 230 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 13.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 12.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson has tallied 8.8 points a game, including a team-leading 30 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 519-232 (.691). 

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-11 record, including a 7-5 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, NSU defeated Winona State 84-80, before falling to Concordia-St. Paul 78-73.

As a team, NSU is averaging 74.8 points and 34.6 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.9% from the field and 33.7% from three point range. The Wolves have passed out 245 assists and have forced 181 turnovers.

Joshua Book is averaging 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season, while James Glenn has tallied 12.6 points per game, including a team-leading 38 three pointers. Marshawn Smith is averaging 11.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game also.

Northern State is coached Matt Wilber who is in his first season as head coach of the Wolves and 12th season overall. He owns a 7-11 (.389) record at NSU and a 231-136 (.629) career record.

Concerning the Jimmies: Jamestown enters the weekend the owner of a 9-9 overall record, including a 7-5 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, UJ fell to Concordia-St. Paul 71-69 and Winona State 79-70. 

As a team, UJ is averaging 77.1 points and 37.6 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.4% from the field and 36.1% from three point range. The Jimmies have passed out 230 assists and have forced 183 turnovers.

Anthony Walters is averaging 19.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and leads the team in three pointers with 53. Owen Hektner is averaging 13.1 points per game and is second on the team in three pointers with 47. Ford Okehi is averaging 10.3 points and 3.4 assists a game also.

Jamestown is coached Casey Bruggeman who is in his second season as head coach of the Jimmies. He owns a 26-20 (.565). career record.