MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State concludes its NSIC North Division schedule this weekend on the road as it takes on Minnesota Crookston on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and MSU Moorhead 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 1,481-968 (.604) in 2,449 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 252-130 (.659) 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 Golden Eagles: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston marks their 31st all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 29-1 record against the Golden Eagles. MSU has won its last five meetings against UMC, including a 90-63 win at Taylor Center last season.

Senior David Harmon tallied 11 points against the Golden Eagles last season, while senior Chase Bartlett tallied 10 points and four steals. Junior Caden Kirkman and sophomore Will Opsahl each netted nine points as well.

Brayden Carlson notched five points for the Golden Eagles, while Landon Dimler hauled in 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 25-1 record against Minnesota Crookston, including an 11-1 record on the road.

Against the Dragons: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 106th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 69-36. Last season, the Mavericks won at home 90-88, before the Dragons won at home 81-55.

Junior Caden Kirkman averaged 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game against the Dragons, while senior David Harmon tallied 7.0 points per game.

Sam Hastreiter averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-9 record against the Dragons, including a 4-6 record at on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 13-9 record, including a 7-7 NSIC record. The Mavericks have won their last six games, including a pair of wins against Northern State (78-67) and Jamestown (80-71) at home last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 77.4 points and 37.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.5% from the field and 32.6% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 267 assists and have forced 253 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 13.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while junior Arhman Lewis has tallied 10.9 points and 4.8 assists per game. Junior Caden Kirkman is averaging 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 521-232 (.691). 

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 4-16 record, including a 2-12 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, UMC bested Sioux Falls 85-78, before falling to Southwest Minnesota State 90-46.

As a team, UMC is averaging 72.3 points and 37.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 39.7% from the field and 32.6% from three point range. The Golden Eagles have passed out 236 assists and have forced 228 turnovers.

Donez Lindsey is averaging 14.4 points per game and leads the team in three pointers made with 42. Alijah Washington has posted 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game also, while Spencer Swenson has notched 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Minnesota State is coached by Bryan Beamish who is in his fourth season as head coach at Minnesota Crookston. He owns a 17-87 (.163) record.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 10-10 overall record, including a 7-7 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road the Dragons fell to both Southwest Minnesota State (71-69) and Sioux Falls (82-81).

As a team, MSUM is averaging 84.9 points and 37.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.1% from the field and 37.3% from three point range. The Dragons have passed out 274 assists and have forced 195 turnovers.

Dominic Gooden is averaging 13.4 points a game and has made 38 three pointers. Isa El-Amin has posted 13.3 points and 3.7 assists a game, while Sam Hastreiter has tallied 11.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

MSU Moorhead is coached by Jason Kemp, who is in his first season as head coach of the Dragons. He owns a 10-10 (.500) record.